Returning to Ladakh with a Greater Mission

Following their memorable 2022 journey, Capt. Mir Shakeel UrRahman and Capt. Amal Ahmed returned to Ladakh in 2023 for their second motorcycle expedition to Khardung La — this time sharing the Himalayan experience with fellow adventurers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The adventure team, led by Capt. Mir Shakeel UrRahman together with Saudi traveller Capt. Amal Ahmed, known as the Indian Saudi Couple Travellers, undertook the journey with a wider purpose: to promote friendship, cultural understanding, responsible adventure tourism and people-to-people connections between Saudi Arabia and India.

Capt. Amal and Capt. Shakeel worked in coordination with Dr. Aziz Sofi as co-organizers in planning the expedition for the participating riders from Saudi Arabia. Dr. Aziz continued to play an important role in the Himalayan journey, giving particular attention to the safety, comfort and wellbeing of the riders, while Capt. Amal and Capt. Shakeel coordinated closely with the participating Saudi riders.

Together, their efforts brought local Himalayan experience, careful expedition planning and international participation into one shared journey — transforming the adventure into an opportunity to discover Ladakh while building friendships across borders.

Carrying a Message of India–Saudi Friendship

The 2023 Himalayan expedition carried an additional message of friendship and international cooperation during an important year for India, as the country held the G20 Presidency in 2023.

In support of the spirit of India's G20 Presidency and the strong relationship between India and Saudi Arabia, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah provided Capt. Mir Shakeel UrRahman and Capt. Amal Ahmed with an India G20 banner and the Indian National Flag for their journey.

The G20 banner and Indian flag accompanied the team during their Himalayan expedition and formed part of the message they carried through their travels — celebrating friendship, cultural understanding and people-to-people connections between the Republic of India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

They were also carried forward as part of the team's subsequent visit to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi, connecting the Himalayan journey with the diplomatic engagement that would become one of the most memorable moments of the expedition.

A Memorable Welcome at the Saudi Embassy

Following the Himalayan expedition, the journey reached a particularly meaningful diplomatic milestone when the adventure team was received at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi by H.E. Saleh bin Eid Al Hussaini, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of India.

During the meeting, Capt. Amal Ahmed introduced her husband, Capt. Mir Shakeel UrRahman, and the accompanying adventure team to H.E. the Ambassador. The team shared details of their journey from Saudi Arabia to India and their motorcycle expedition through the Himalayan region of Ladakh.

H.E. the Ambassador listened with warm interest as the couple spoke about their adventures together as an Indian–Saudi married couple, their experiences travelling by motorcycle, and the participation of riders from Saudi Arabia in the Himalayan expedition.

One of the most memorable surprises awaited the team inside the Embassy. Photographs and videos from their expedition had been prepared for presentation on a large projector screen, allowing moments from their Himalayan journey to be shared during the meeting. The thoughtful arrangement, coordinated through Capt. Amal, transformed the reception into a very personal and memorable experience for the entire team.

H.E. the Ambassador praised the team's efforts and achievements, and commemorative photographs were taken together to preserve the occasion.

A Souvenir, a Shared Breakfast and a Memorable Exchange

Among the warmest moments of the Embassy visit was a personal exchange that reflected the spirit of friendship surrounding the entire meeting.

As a gesture of appreciation and remembrance, Capt. Amal Ahmed and Capt. Mir Shakeel UrRahman presented H.E. Saleh bin Eid Al Hussaini with their Indian Saudi Couple Travellers souvenir biker pin, representing their shared identity, journeys and mission of friendship through travel.

The moment became particularly memorable as H.E. the Ambassador received the souvenir with visible interest and took time to carefully examine the details of the pin. For Capt. Amal and Capt. Shakeel, seeing their personal symbol of adventure and India–Saudi friendship being received with such interest was a deeply appreciated and meaningful moment.

The team was also honoured to share breakfast with H.E. the Ambassador, providing an opportunity for further conversation in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond the formal photographs and official discussions, this hospitality added a personal dimension to the visit and remains one of its most cherished memories.

What had begun as a motorcycle journey through the Himalayan mountains had ultimately created another meaningful people-to-people connection — bringing together adventure, friendship, cultural exchange and diplomacy under one roof.