India and Saudi Arabia conducted the sixth edition of Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) meeting in Riyadh on September 4. 

The two countries discussed new avenues to further strengthen the long-standing and multi-faceted defence cooperation. 

Detailed deliberations were held to expand the scope of engagement and cooperation in areas such as military, training, defence industry, R&D etc. 

The pillars of India-Saudi Arabia relations

• India and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 1947. The year 2021-22 marked the 75th anniversary of this bilateral relationship. 

• The Delhi Declaration (2006) was a pivotal moment, significantly strengthening the India-Saudi Arabia relationship. 

• The Riyadh Declaration (2010) elevated the bilateral ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership’, marking a new phase in the relationship. 

• The Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) agreement established a high-level council to guide and enhance Indo-Saudi relations. 

• During the Crown Prince’s Visit (February 2019), Saudi Arabia announced an investment of approximately $100 billion in India and joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 

• In 2016, Saudi Arabia awarded its highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Sash, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Economic Ties

• India is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trade partner, while Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trade partner. 

• As of January 2022, there were 2,783 Indian companies registered in Saudi Arabia, with investments worth approximately $2 billion. 

• The $44 billion West Coast Refinery & Petrochemicals Project in Maharashtra, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and an Indian consortium, is a major proposed investment. 

Energy Cooperation

• Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in ensuring India’s energy security, being the third-largest source of crude and petroleum products for India in FY23. 

India also imports LPG from Saudi Arabia. 

Defence Partnership

• Two editions of the bilateral naval exercise, Al Mohed Al Hindi, have been conducted, strengthening defense cooperation. Both nations have emphasized the importance of combating terrorism and its financing, recognizing it as one of the gravest threats to humanity. 

Diaspora

• The Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia exceeds 2.4 million, making it the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom. 

• India’s e-Migrate system has been integrated with Saudi Arabia’s e-Tawtheeq system to streamline the migration process for workers. 

• Saudi Arabia assisted in the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Sudan through Jeddah under ‘Operation Kaveri’.

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