New Delhi is looking forward to exploring opportunities for cooperation with Riyadh in defense industries and form vital platforms to build capabilities and exchange expertise in the defense field given the recent establishment of the joint ministerial committee aimed at expanding the scope of long-term defense cooperation between the two sides.
In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu (NM), Senior Directing Staff, National Defense College, Ministry of Defense of India, said: “The establishment of a new Ministerial Committee on Defense Cooperation under the framework of the India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom in April 2025, marks a significant milestone in our defense relationship.”
“This institutional mechanism is poised to deepen and broaden our engagement across all domains of defense cooperation,” he added.
“Last year on the sidelines of World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabian company Nadrah and Indian defense company Munitions India Limited (MIL) signed a major deal valued at over USD 225 million for supply of artillery ammunition to Saudi Arabia,” he went on to say.
‘Deep mutual trust and strategic alignment’
“As close maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural convergence of interests in regional peace and stability,” said Sandhu. “This shared vision is underpinned by centuries of cultural and commercial ties, and today, it is increasingly reflected in our growing defense and security collaboration - a testament to the deep mutual trust and strategic alignment between our two nations.”
“In recent years, our defense engagements have witnessed unprecedented momentum. Over the past 18 months, we have achieved several significant milestones that have contributed to deepening institutional ties and practical cooperation,” he stressed.
“In January 2024, India had the honor of hosting the first-ever official visit by the Chief of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Admiral Fahad Al-Ghufaili. This was followed in February 2024 by the first Indian ministerial defense delegation in over a decade visiting the Kingdom to participate in the 2nd World Defense Show in Riyadh,” he continued.
“The first joint army exercise, Sada Tanseeq-I, was successfully conducted last year, building on the momentum set by the bilateral naval exercises, Al-Mohed Al-Hindi, which took place in 2021 and 2023.”
“Earlier this year, we held the inaugural Army and Navy Staff Talks, further institutionalizing our defense dialogue and enabling more structured engagement between our services. A high-level Saudi delegation also visited the Information Fusion Center- Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram,” said Sandhu.
“Just last week, two Indian Navy warships made a port call in the Kingdom, where they also conducted a PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with Saudi Navy. Around the same time, a senior Saudi delegation was in New Delhi to attend the 7th Meeting of the Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation (JCDC), reaffirming the shared commitment to deepen wide-ranging defense cooperation,” he stated.
Riyadh visit
Sandhu continued: “I have the honor of leading a delegation comprising 15 senior military and civilian officers from India and five friendly foreign countries — Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. All members of the delegation are currently undergoing the prestigious National Security and Strategic Studies course at the National Defense College (NDC), New Delhi, India.”
“Established in 1960, the National Defense College is India's premier institution for higher military education. It plays a pivotal role in grooming selected senior officers from the armed forces and the civil services - both Indian and international - for strategic leadership roles,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “The NDC provides an intellectually stimulating environment for the comprehensive study of national and international security issues, strategy, statecraft, and policy formulation.”
“As part of our curriculum, we are currently undertaking a three-day Strategic Neighborhood Study Tour to Saudi Arabia,” he revealed. “The aim of this familiarization visit is to gain firsthand insights into the Kingdom’s strategic environment and national security architecture.”
Moreover, he said: “The visit also provides a valuable opportunity to engage with key military institutions and defense industry organizations in the Kingdom.”
“Our itinerary includes official engagements in Riyadh and Dammam, where we look forward to meaningful interactions with senior officials and counterparts from the Saudi armed forces, government, and defense sector,” remarked Sandhu. “We have met Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al Sulaiman, Governor the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), visited the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) as well as the National Defense University, Riyadh.”
“The last visit by an NDC delegation to the Kingdom took place in 2023, and we are pleased to continue this tradition of dialogue and collaboration. Officers from the Saudi armed forces have attended NDC courses in the past,” he added.
