India and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Military Ties at 7th Defence Cooperation Meeting
India and Saudi Arabia took a significant step forward in strengthening their defense and strategic ties during the 7th Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) meeting held in New Delhi.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of Defence, and Major General Saad Mohammed H. Alkathiri, representing Saudi Arabia’s Armed Forces. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in defense production, military training, maritime security, and emerging technologies.
Major Areas of Cooperation Discussed
The two sides reviewed the progress made since the last JCDC meeting and expressed satisfaction over the successful implementation of several earlier decisions. They agreed to further deepen cooperation in the following areas:
- Joint Defence Manufacturing: India showcased its growing capabilities in defense production under the Make in India initiative. Both sides discussed exploring opportunities to co-develop and jointly manufacture defense equipment.
- Military Training and Capacity Building: India offered continued training support to Saudi armed forces, proposing expanded cooperation in areas such as disaster response, cyber defense, communication systems, and IT-based military applications.
- Maritime and Strategic Dialogue: Recognizing the shared interest in regional maritime security, the two sides emphasized the importance of naval cooperation and agreed to sustain structured military dialogues through regular staff-level meetings.
Building on Recent Progress
This meeting follows a series of significant developments in India–Saudi defense ties over the past year:
- The two countries successfully held the first-ever Army-to-Army Staff Talks earlier in 2025.
- A landmark joint land forces exercise, “Sada Tanseeq”, was conducted, signaling increased trust and interoperability.
- The Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces have completed two rounds of joint naval exercises under the banner of Al Mohed Al Hindi.
These engagements have laid the groundwork for broader tri-service cooperation, which both sides agreed to continue and expand.
Structured and Institutionalised Defence Dialogue
The 7th JCDC meeting is part of a growing institutional framework for bilateral security dialogue. The defense partnership gained further momentum earlier this year when a Ministerial Committee on Defence Cooperation was formed under the India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Riyadh.
This structure allows for high-level, coordinated engagement across the defense spectrum—policy, training, technology, and joint ventures—ensuring both strategic alignment and operational results.
Outlook
India and Saudi Arabia are steadily transforming their defense ties into a long-term strategic partnership. The JCDC platform is central to this process, providing a consistent mechanism for identifying priorities, reviewing progress, and planning joint initiatives.
By aligning on training, manufacturing, and security cooperation, both nations are not only reinforcing bilateral ties but also contributing to broader regional stability in West Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
