Saudi Arabia and India have agreed to enhance their collaboration in the energy and defence sectors, a significant step forward in their bilateral relationship. This agreement follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, during which the two countries discussed expanding the supply of crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas. Saudi Arabia is already one of India’s leading petroleum exporters, and both countries are looking to expand their collaboration even further.
PM Modi met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss these advancements before cutting short his visit owing to a horrific incident in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region that claimed more than 26 lives.
The two countries are also working on cooperative refinery and petrochemical projects, as well as feasibility studies for electrical grid interconnectivity between India and Saudi Arabia and the rest of the region. In addition to energy, the two sides have committed to strengthening their defence ties, including increased cooperation in defence production.
This cooperation comes as India seeks to increase its defence exports, to double arms-and-equipment exports to $6 billion by 2029. Despite missing the $3.5 billion target for the current fiscal year, India’s arm production output has increased by 62% since 2020.
