India’s PM Modi hosts the Saudi Crown Prince to boost bilateral ties.
Expanding on the G20 momentum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today. The aim is to advance the Middle-East corridor project and solidify bilateral ties with a rapidly emerging West Asian global power.
Despite being only 38 years old, Crown Prince MBS was the driving force behind the Middle East corridor project. He initially approached India and later involved the UAE and the US in this ambitious venture, which holds the potential to become a linchpin of global trade.
Thanks to the personal rapport and mutual trust between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prince MBS, India and Saudi Arabia are poised to strengthen their relationship. Riyadh is looking to invest in India and is open to considering rupee-Riyal trade for oil exports to India. These two nations already share strong strategic and security ties and align in opposing religious radicalization by pan-Islamic groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda.
Since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Narendra Modi has made considerable efforts to engage with Saudi Arabia, a significant oil supplier to India. Previously, the relationship was often viewed through the lens of Pakistan. Crown Prince Salman has revamped Saudi Arabia’s image through sweeping reforms, including the empowerment of women, while maintaining religious beliefs. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia has gained global influence, competing with other major Sunni powers in West Asia and engaging with both the West and China based on its national interests.
After years of nurturing their relationship, India and Saudi Arabia have become close trade partners. The Middle East Corridor Project is a shared dream for both nations. Saudi Arabia will play a pivotal role as an investor in this project, funding approximately 850 kilometres of railroad to Haifa Port via Jordan for the northern section of the corridor. Crown Prince MBS’s Saudi Arabia seeks similar concessions to the UAE, promising to double its investment in India.
Today, the India-Saudi Arabia relationship is anchored in strong political and historical ties that extend beyond trade and investment. Both nations collaborate closely on security and defence, with their intelligence agencies maintaining regular communication for mutual benefit. From an Indian perspective, Crown Prince Salman’s state visit holds no less significance than the recently concluded G-20 summit.
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