Saudi Arabia and India have enhanced bilateral cooperation for the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council to include four ministerial committees, featuring a ministerial committee for defense cooperation and another for tourism and culture.
Both countries also agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination within international organizations and forums such as the G20, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. This commitment aims to bolster efforts in addressing global economic challenges.
This was stated in the joint statement released at the conclusion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Kingdom, which reads as follows: “At the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Republic of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This was Modi’s third visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It followed the historic state visit of HRH the Crown Prince to India in September 2023 to participate in the G20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council.
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. Both sides also exchanged views on current regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Economic Cooperation
Both sides welcomed the growth of the economic relationship, trade, and investment ties between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in recent years. The Indian side congratulated the Saudi side for the progress achieved on the goals under Vision 2030. The Saudi side expressed appreciation for India’s sustained economic growth and the goal of Viksit Bharat or becoming a developed country by 2047. Both sides agreed to work together in areas of mutual interest to fulfill respective national goals and achieve shared prosperity.
They noted the agreement in the High-Level Task Force to collaborate on establishing two refineries. The progress made by this Task Force in areas such as taxation was also a major breakthrough for greater cooperation in the future. The two sides affirmed their desire to complete negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty at the earliest.
The Indian side appreciated the launch of India Desk at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to act as the nodal point for investment facilitation by PIF. They observed that the work of the High-Level Task Force underscores the growing economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia, focusing on mutual economic growth and collaborative investments.
The two sides also valued the activation of the Framework of Cooperation on Enhancing Bilateral Investment between Invest India and the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. Both sides agreed to facilitate enhanced bilateral cooperation in the startup ecosystem, contributing to mutual growth and innovation.
Image Via: Narendra Modi@X | Cropped by GBN
Energy sector cooperation
In the field of Energy, the Indian side agreed to work with the Kingdom to enhance the stability of global oil markets and to balance global energy market dynamics. They emphasized the need to ensure the security of supply for all energy sources in global markets.
They agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in several areas in the energy sector, including the supply of crude oil and its derivatives including LPG, and collaboration in India’s Strategic Reserve Program.
The two sides emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of green/clean hydrogen, including stimulating demand, developing hydrogen transport and storage technologies, and exchanging expertise and experiences to implement best practices.
With regard to climate change, both sides reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and the need to develop and implement climate agreements with a focus on emissions rather than sources.
The two sides stressed the importance of cooperation to develop applications of the circular carbon economy by promoting policies that use the circular carbon economy as a tool to manage emissions and achieve climate change objectives.
Defense Cooperation
The two sides appreciated the deepening of the defense ties as a key pillar of the strategic partnership, and welcomed the creation of a Ministerial Committee on Defense Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council. They noted with satisfaction the growth of their joint defense 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 Defense Cooperation held in Riyadh in September 2024, noting the initiation of staff-level talks between all three services. Both sides also agreed to enhance defense industry collaboration.
Digital security
Noting the continuing cooperation achieved in security fields, both sides highlighted the importance of this cooperation for better security and stability. They also emphasized the importance of furthering cooperation between both sides in the areas of cybersecurity, maritime border security, combating transnational crime, narcotics and drug trafficking.
Anti-Terrorism cooperation
They welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism and 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.
Image Via: Narendra Modi@X | Cropped by GBN
Health
The two sides noted the ongoing cooperation in the field of health and efforts to combat current and future health risks and health challenges. In this context, they welcomed the signing of an MoU on cooperation in the field of health between the two countries.
An MoU between the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Saudi Ministry of Health on cooperation in the field of health.
Both sides also welcomed the extension of the MoU on cooperation in the field of medical products regulation between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for a further five years.
MoU on Telecom regulatory
Highlighting the importance of digital governance, both sides agreed to explore collaboration in this area. They also expressed satisfaction on the signing of the MoU between the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the Communications, Space and Technology Commission of Saudi Arabia for cooperation in the regulatory and digital sectors.
Space Cooperation
Both sides noted that the MoU on space cooperation signed during this visit will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in the field of space, including the utilization of launch vehicles, spacecraft, and ground systems, applications of space technology, research and development, academic engagement, and entrepreneurship.
Signed during the visit was an MoU between the Indian Department of Space and the Saudi Space Agency in the field of space activities for peaceful purposes.
Cultural and Tourism
Both sides noted the growth of cultural cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of India through active engagement in key sectors such as heritage, film, literature, and performing and visual arts. The creation of a Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council marks a significant step toward deepening this partnership.
Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism, including through capacity building and sustainable tourism. They also noted the expansion of various opportunities in media, entertainment, and sports, supported by the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Cooperation on Sustainable Agriculture
Both sides appreciated the long-standing cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture and food security, including the trade of fertilizers. They agreed to pursue long-term agreements for the security of supply, mutual investments, and joint projects towards building long-term strategic cooperation in this area.
The visit also saw a bilateral agreement between the Indian Department of Posts and the Saudi Post for inward foreign surface parcel, and an MoU between the Indian National Anti-Doping Agency and Saudi Arabia Anti-Doping Committee for cooperation in the field of anti-doping and prevention.
