India-Saudi strategic partnership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia—his third since he became Prime Minister--- was cut short because he had to return to India on account of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, but that did not prevent the visit from being productive. That is evident from the Joint Statement issued by the two countries on the discussions between the leaders. Both countries have now developed deep interests which go beyond a relationship of Saudi Arabia being a supplier of hydrocarbons to India and hosting around 2.7 million Indians who have contributed to its transformation through the decades. For India, the diaspora in Saudi Arabia, as in other Arab Gulf states, is economically important because it is, inter alia, a source of remittances that help the country’s balance of payments.
The Joint Statement notes the areas in which the relationship has developed constructive links for mutual benefit. It states “The two sides noted that the solid foundation of the bilateral relationship between the two nations has further strengthened through the strategic partnership covering diverse areas including defense, security, energy, trade, investment, technology, agriculture, culture, health, education, and people-to-people ties”.
As Modi had to curtail his visit because of the Pahalgam terrorist attack the subjects of radicalism, violent extremism and terrorism would have figured at length between him and his host, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. The Joint Statement devotes a full paragraph to these issues. It is worthy of being quoted in full. It notes: “Both sides strongly condemned the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians. In this context, the two sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasized that this remains one of the gravest threats to humanity.
They agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever. They rejected any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture. They welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism and the terror financing. They condemned cross-border terrorism, and called on all States to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where it exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Both sides stressed the need to prevent access to weapons including missiles and drones to commit terrorist acts against other countries”.
It is abundantly clear that Saudi Arabia recognises that India which is already the fifth largest economy in the world and is on its way to becoming the third largest by the end of the decade as important to its interests. This because it therefore offers Saudi Arabia immense opportunities not only in the field of conventional energy but also for joint investments in the frontier areas of technology and innovation. The countries of the Arab Peninsular, beginning with the United Arab Emirates, in the early 1980s, began to recognise that India was a factor of stability for the entire region. The end of the Cold War and with the United States becoming self-sufficient in hydrocarbons it was obvious that India’s importance for these countries, including Saudi Arabia, would increase.
Through the decades beginning with the period of de-colonization the politics of the Arab world has witnessed drastic transformations. The old divisions between the conservative states led by Saudi Arabia and the nationalistic states led by Egypt has gone into the dust bin of history. As the Arab world changed it was natural for India’s approaches to change as well. It was earlier close to the Arab nationalistic states but with the dramatic rise in oil prices in the 1970s the Arab world transformed. The Arab peninsular countries drew in large numbers of Indians to work in these countries as they developed at a frenetic pace. It took time for the shadows of the past to disappear but, by now they have, as has been evident from Modi’s visit.
The most significant element of growing confidence between India and Saudi Arabia is cooperation in the field of defence. The Joint Statement notes “The two sides appreciated the deepening of the defence ties as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership, and welcomed the creation of a Ministerial Committee on Defence Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council.
They noted with satisfaction the growth of their joint defence cooperation including numerous ‘firsts’ like the first ever Land Forces exercise SADA TANSEEQ, two rounds of the Naval Exercises AL MOHED AL HINDI, many high-level visits, and training exchanges, towards ensuring the security and stability of the region. They welcomed the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation held in Riyadh in September 2024, noting the initiation of staff-level talks between all three services. Both sides also agreed to enhance defence industry collaboration”.
The world is in a churn because of the rapid progress in science and technology. The digital revolution is changing the face of the planet. Any country which lags behind in these areas cannot remain in the mainstream of humankind’s developmental journey. It appears Mohammed bin Salman is aware of these facts. Hence, while seeking to ensure that Saudi Arabia remains the bastion of the Islamic faith he wants that it catches up with the frontier areas of science and technology. In this he is looking to many countries, including India. Saudi Arabia with its financial capital and India with its intellectual capabilities, both current and potential, can be partners to take the two peoples to a new level, including in science and technology.
