As the first Indian prime minister in over four decades to visit Jeddah, the commercial capital of Saudi Arabia and the gateway to Islam's holiest sites, Modi's visit goes far beyond symbolic gestures.

India and Saudi Arabia are exploring joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Arab News in an interview, as he began a two-day visit to the country on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday landed in Jeddah on a two-day State visit to Saudi Arabia.He was welcomed with a ceremonial 21-gun salute on his arrival.Earlier, in a special gesture, Royal Saudi Arabia fighter planes escorted PM Modi's plane as it entered Saudi airspace.