Saudi's Journey through Indian Culture Reflects Growing Ties
A Saudi actor's immersion in India highlights cultural exchanges under Vision 2030.
Riyadh: Hashim Abbas, a Saudi national who taught himself Hindi and has since starred in an Indian film and performed for the country's prime minister, is emblematic of the cultural bridges being built under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Abbas began learning Hindi in 2008 while working at an Indian IT company in the Kingdom, his love for Indian culture deepening beyond a professional relationship.
He became a cultural guide to his Indian colleagues, showing them around Saudi cities and historical sites.
His appreciation for Indian culture led him to use music as a means of connection.
In April 2025, Abbas performed the Indian patriotic song 'Ae Watan' in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit to Saudi Arabia, adding Arabic lines to create a cultural bridge between the two nations.
His story exemplifies a broader societal openness in Saudi Arabia and highlights its growing engagement with international communities through social, cultural, and economic avenues.
India remains a key partner for Saudi Arabia, with strong ties in trade, education, and culture.
The General Authority for Statistics reports that Indians are the second-largest expatriate group in Saudi Arabia, contributing to sectors such as IT, education, and healthcare.
Abbas' relationship with India has been further enriched by his visits, especially to Kerala, where he met individuals who spoke warmly of their time in Saudi Arabia.
He also noted that outdated misconceptions about Saudi Arabia are fading, replaced by a perception of the Kingdom as modern, open, creative, and full of life, thanks to Vision 2030.
Abbas began learning Hindi in 2008 while working at an Indian IT company in the Kingdom, his love for Indian culture deepening beyond a professional relationship.
He became a cultural guide to his Indian colleagues, showing them around Saudi cities and historical sites.
His appreciation for Indian culture led him to use music as a means of connection.
In April 2025, Abbas performed the Indian patriotic song 'Ae Watan' in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official visit to Saudi Arabia, adding Arabic lines to create a cultural bridge between the two nations.
His story exemplifies a broader societal openness in Saudi Arabia and highlights its growing engagement with international communities through social, cultural, and economic avenues.
India remains a key partner for Saudi Arabia, with strong ties in trade, education, and culture.
The General Authority for Statistics reports that Indians are the second-largest expatriate group in Saudi Arabia, contributing to sectors such as IT, education, and healthcare.
Abbas' relationship with India has been further enriched by his visits, especially to Kerala, where he met individuals who spoke warmly of their time in Saudi Arabia.
He also noted that outdated misconceptions about Saudi Arabia are fading, replaced by a perception of the Kingdom as modern, open, creative, and full of life, thanks to Vision 2030.
