Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deep concern over the health of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, following reports that the 88-year-old monarch is undergoing treatment for lung inflammation. The Saudi state news agency announced that King Salman is receiving medical care at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah after tests revealed his condition.
“Deeply concerned about the reports of the health of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” PM Modi posted on X. “I join the people of India in wishing him a speedy and full recovery.”
King Salman, who underwent medical tests on Sunday due to a high temperature and joint pain, will be treated with antibiotics until the lung inflammation subsides. This recent health scare comes after a routine checkup in April at the royal clinics at Al Salam Palace.
King Salman has been the reigning monarch of Saudi Arabia since January 2015, following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah. During his reign, Saudi Arabia has seen significant reforms, particularly under the Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy and reducing its dependence on oil.
The news of King Salman’s health condition has had immediate repercussions, prompting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, to postpone his scheduled four-day trip to Japan. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the postponement, stating, “Saudi Arabia informed the Japanese government that due to the health condition of King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed’s visit, which had been scheduled to begin on the 20th, had to be postponed.”
Prior to the announcement of the king’s health issues, MBS met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the war in Gaza and the “nearly final version” of draft strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia and the US, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). These discussions are part of ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a historic pact that would offer Saudi Arabia security guarantees and potentially establish diplomatic ties with Israel, as reported by Bloomberg.
King Salman’s health remains a matter of significant concern, not only for the people of Saudi Arabia but also for the international community, given the monarch’s pivotal role in regional and global politics. The world watches closely, hoping for his swift recovery and continued leadership.
Sources By Agencies
