New Delhi Pursues Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Riyadh

Indian Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (PHOTO CREDIT: Mishaal al-Qadir)
Indian Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (PHOTO CREDIT: Mishaal al-Qadir)
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New Delhi Pursues Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Riyadh

Indian Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (PHOTO CREDIT: Mishaal al-Qadir)
Indian Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (PHOTO CREDIT: Mishaal al-Qadir)

Indian Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt has expressed India's interest in collaborating with Saudi Arabia on joint defense projects and technology transfers.

Bhatt highlighted the importance of this bilateral defense partnership in the overall strategic relationship between the two countries, stating that it is progressing steadily as part of their defense cooperation efforts.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Bhatt said: “By combining India's 'Make in India' initiative and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, we can work together to create joint projects and technology transfer agreements for defense equipment manufacturing.”

“Both nations are also collaborating on new defense technologies,” revealed the minister.

Bhatt, who is heading an Indian delegation to the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, highlighted the cooperation between Indian and Saudi armed forces through the Joint Committee for Defense Cooperation (JCDC).

“Last year, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited India, marking significant improvement in relations,” said the minister.

Bhatt also noted collaboration in new defense technologies between India and Saudi Arabia. He mentioned a recent seminar organized by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, supported by Saudi agencies.

While the Strategic Partnership Council between India and Saudi Arabia aims for long-term cooperation, Bhatt emphasized a growing partnership in defense.

He anticipated continued collaboration, especially in research and development for advanced defense technologies like ammunition, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Bhatt acknowledged India’s efforts to strengthen domestic defense production and Saudi Arabia’s focus on localizing industries.

At the World Defense Show, Bhatt had productive meetings with Saudi officials, expressing gratitude for their hospitality. He highlighted the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Munitions India Limited and its local partner.

The minister highlighted that the defense deals signed reflect the ongoing collaboration between Indian and Saudi companies in defense.

Bhatt noted that his visit to the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) booth at the defense exhibition in Riyadh was fruitful for future cooperation.

Defense Industry Insights

“In line with our strengthening bilateral ties, Indian firms are keen to showcase their defense products in the Saudi market,” remarked Bhatt.

“With trust between us, the Indian government fully backs these efforts. At the World Defense Show, many Indian companies are participating, accessing Saudi Arabia's defense market.”

“During my visit, I saw top-notch Indian products drawing interest. This platform will boost Indian companies’ visibility,” added the minister.

He stressed that the World Defense Show offers ample opportunities for cooperation, including technology transfer and research.

Collaborative Programs

Bhatt mentioned ongoing joint ground forces exercises in India and regular naval exchanges. He highlighted the importance of reciprocal visits in strengthening ties and exploring new cooperation avenues, citing recent high-level exchanges between Indian and Saudi military leaders.

“In early January 2024, Saudi Navy Commander Admiral Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghafili visited India for four days. He interacted with top Indian military leaders and government officials,” mentioned Bhatt.

He noted that the visit positively impacted the Saudi Navy Commander’s engagement with Indian defense firms. He got hands-on experience with Indian training institutes in Kochi and visited the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

“We also have substantial cooperation in medical fields between our armed forces through specialized exchanges,” added Bhatt.

“We aim to keep up this momentum in bilateral defense ties, exploring new avenues in the future,” he affirmed.

Security in the Red Sea Navigation

Speaking about threats in the Red Sea, Bhatt said: “India stands for freedom of navigation in the Red Sea but is concerned about attacks on commercial ships, which disrupt trade and endanger sailors’ lives.”

“India closely watches developments there and has naval ships in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, actively supporting commercial vessels and crew,” he added.



Yemeni Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Houthis Have Lost Nearly 30% of their Military Capabilities

This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off from the US Navy's Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at sea on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Hunter DAY / DVIDS / AFP)
This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off from the US Navy's Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at sea on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Hunter DAY / DVIDS / AFP)
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Yemeni Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Houthis Have Lost Nearly 30% of their Military Capabilities

This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off from the US Navy's Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at sea on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Hunter DAY / DVIDS / AFP)
This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off from the US Navy's Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at sea on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Hunter DAY / DVIDS / AFP)

The Iran-backed Houthis are in disarray over escalating American strikes targeting military and security sites, as well as weapons depots belonging to them, Yemeni Minister of Information Moammar Al-Eryani said, revealing that the group has lost nearly 30% of its military capabilities.

Al-Eryani told Asharq Al-Awsat that the recent strikes have directly hit "the military capabilities of the Houthi group, targeting mainly infrastructure related to ballistic missiles and drones, which were used to threaten international maritime navigation in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden."

US President Donald Trump had ordered the start of the military campaign against the Houthis on March 15, pledging to destroy their capabilities.

In the past four weeks, the Houthis have been hit by 365 air and naval strikes, field reports said. The campaign has been primarily targeting fortified bunkers and military warehouses, especially in the group's strongholds in the governorates of Saada, Sanaa, Amran, and Hodeidah.

"Our assessment, based on our field sources, is that the militia has lost 30% of its capabilities, and this number is rising as military operations continue,” Al-Eryani said.

The minister also spoke of "surprises” that will please Yemenis in the coming weeks.

Trump said Monday that the US campaign against the Houthis has been “very successful militarily.”

“We’ve really damaged them,” he said, adding that “we’ve gotten many of their leaders and their experts.”

The Yemeni Minister of Information considered the powerful strikes “as not enough to end the Houthi threat, especially since the militia is still receiving logistical support from Iran through multiple smuggling routes."

Last week, Britain’s The Telegraph quoted a senior Iranian official as saying that Iran had ordered military personnel to leave Yemen to avoid direct confrontation with the US.

Al-Eryani called for “keeping military, political, and economic pressure” on the Houthis and increasing control on the sources that provide arms to the Houthis. He also called for “supporting the legitimate forces to enable them to take control of all Yemeni territory."
Al-Eryani confirmed that the Houthis have recently suffered significant human losses at various leadership levels, yet the militias have avoided announcing such losses for fear of undermining the morale of their fighters.

Last month, Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat that the country’s armed forces and all military formations were at a high state of readiness to respond firmly to any Houthi attacks or provocations.

Al-Daeri said the Houthis bear full responsibility for the recent escalation, the imposition of international sanctions, and the militarization of regional waters, which have worsened the humanitarian and economic situation for Yemenis.