• The 7th meeting of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) took place in New Delhi on August 28. 

• Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.

• With a view to strengthen defence ties and explore new avenues of collaboration, the two countries held discussions in areas such as training cooperation, industrial partnerships, maritime cooperation & military exercises.

• The two sides discussed their respective training capabilities and requirements. 

• India offered to provide training to the Saudi Armed Forces and discussed cooperation in cyber, IT, disaster management & tactical communication.

• Both sides explored the possibility of joint manufacturing of military equipment, reflecting their growing defence and strategic ties.

• India and Saudi Arabia share a steadily deepening defence partnership. 

• It is reflected by the addition of a Ministerial Committee on Defence Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council during the visit of the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia in April 2025.

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. 

• Bilateral trade ties have steadily grown over the years. India is the second largest trade partner of Saudi Arabia whereas Saudi Arabia is the fifth largest trading partner of India. 

• In FY 2023-24, bilateral trade stood at $42.98 billion.

• Indian investments in Saudi Arabia have also increased in recent years, reaching a cumulative figure of approximately $3 billion in August 2023. 

• These investments are across diverse sectors such as management and consultancy services, construction projects, telecommunications, IT, financial services and software development, pharmaceuticals, etc.

• Saudi Arabia remained India’s third largest crude and petroleum products sourcing destination for FY 2023-24. 

• India imported 33.35 MMT of crude oil in FY 2023-24 from Saudi Arabia, accounting for 14.3 per cent of India’s total crude oil imports. 

• In FY 2023-24, Saudi Arabia was the third largest LPG sourcing destination for India, accounting for 18.2 per cent of the total LPG imports of India for 2023-24.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)