The Suwaidi Park in Riyadh turned into a lively hub of color, music, and connection during India Week, held from November 2 to 10 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Global Harmony initiative. The event, organized by the Ministry of Media, celebrated the deep cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and its expatriate communities, especially Indians who make up one of the largest foreign groups in the kingdom.
For years, Indians in Saudi Arabia were seen as temporary workers riding the oil boom, people who came to earn, save, and return home. That view is changing. Today they are recognized as key contributors to the nation’s growth and part of its evolving social fabric.
At 2.7 million strong, Indians form a vibrant part of Saudi Arabia’s population of more than 32 million. Their work stretches across sectors from healthcare to hospitality, and their cultural presence continues to grow. That spirit was on full display during India Week, which opened Riyadh’s annual entertainment season for the second consecutive year.
The event drew 60 percent more visitors compared to last year, according to Sarry Shaaban, content and planning development executive at the General Entertainment Authority. He said it was all about connection, not color or belief, and part of Vision 2030 which aims to improve quality of life through culture, entertainment, sports, and tourism.
The week featured energetic performances by artists such as Kanika Kapoor, Jaan Kumar, and DJ Shreya, along with daily parades of Indian dance troupes. Visitors enjoyed traditional food stalls and craft exhibits that brought a slice of India to Riyadh’s second largest park. Families filled the grounds each evening until midnight, soaking in the atmosphere.
More than 3,500 Saudis worked to organize the Global Harmony programs, while thousands more attended to experience the diversity that shapes their nation’s growth. India Week was followed by cultural showcases from 14 other major communities, continuing through December 20.
Indian Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who visited the park near the end of the event, called the celebration a model worth repeating. He said it helps Indians abroad reconnect with their heritage while building bonds between communities.
With the enthusiastic response it received from both locals and expatriates, India Week looks set to become a permanent feature of Riyadh’s growing cultural calendar, a reminder that Saudi Arabia’s future is shared by everyone who calls it home.
