Saudi, Indian militaries complete first army-to-army talks
The talks took place in New Delhi on April 23-24.
'Discussions focused on the annual defense cooperation plan, covering joint exercise Sada Tanseeq, training, military education, domain expert exchanges and engagements in areas of mutual interest,' the public information arm of the Indian Ministry of Defense said on X.
'Both sides also explored avenues of collaboration in operational logistics, battlefield management systems & niche technologies to enhance interoperability and capability development,' it said.
The Sada Tanseeq exercise, the first edition of which took place in Rajasthan in January and February, aims to enhance interoperability and joint operational capabilities between the two nations' land forces, particularly in semi-desert terrain.
The exercise involved 90 troops from both sides focusing on training for operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which pertains to actions regarding threats to peace, breaches of peace and acts of aggression.
The talks in Delhi followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia and meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman earlier this week.
During the visit the two sides expanded the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council to include a ministerial committee for defense cooperation and agreed to enhance defense industry collaboration.
'It is significant that the first army-to army staff level talks were held immediately after the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the crown prince, who decided to form a ministerial-level defense cooperation committee to give a push to already deepening defense and strategic relations between India and Saudi Arabia,' defense and strategic affairs expert Ranjit Kumar told Arab News.
'The two countries have already conducted joint army exercises in 2021 and 2023. Later, the navies of the two nations have also organized two rounds of joint naval exercises. These are indicative of growing proximity between the Indian and Saudi defense forces, which may lead to new strategic equations in the region.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Philippine, Indian navies begin first joint South China Sea patrols
MANILA: Indian Navy warships have begun patrolling areas of the disputed South China Sea with their Philippine counterparts for the first time, Manila's military said Monday. The two-day sail includes three Indian vessels and started Sunday, a day ahead of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' scheduled trip to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Philippines has heightened defense cooperation with a range of allies over the past year after a series of clashes in the contested waterway. Beijing claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. India's naval vessels arrived in Manila for a port visit late last week. The patrol 'started yesterday afternoon, then it's ongoing up to this moment... the activity at the moment is replenishment at sea,' Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado told AFP. While in India, Marcos is expected to sign pacts in such fields as law, culture and technology, according to Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, but all eyes will be on any potential defense agreements. The Philippines has previously purchased BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India, a weapon which has a top speed of 3,450 kilometers (2,140 miles) per hour. India, which has engaged in border clashes with China in the Himalayas, is a member of the so-called Quad, a group that includes fellow democracies the United States, Japan and Australia. Beijing has repeatedly alleged that the four-way partnership, first conceived by late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, was created as a way of containing China.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Top Trump Aide Accuses India of Financing Russia's War in Ukraine
A top aide to President Donald Trump on Sunday accused India of effectively financing Russia's war in Ukraine by purchasing oil from Moscow, after the US leader escalated pressure on New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil. "What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia," said Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of Trump's most influential aides. Miller's criticism was some of the strongest yet by the Trump administration about one of the United States' major partners in the Indo-Pacific. "People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," Miller said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will keep purchasing oil from Moscow despite US threats. A 25% tariff on Indian products went into effect on Friday as a result of its purchase of military equipment and energy from Russia. Trump has also threatened 100% tariffs on US imports from countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with Ukraine. Miller tempered his criticism by noting Trump's relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he described as "tremendous."
Leaders
10 hours ago
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Blasts Ben-Gvir's Al-Aqsa Provocation
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday denounced the 'provocative practices' of Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, stating that such actions exacerbate tensions in the region. 'Saudi Arabia condemns in the strongest terms the repeated provocative practices by Israeli occupation government officials against Al-Aqsa Mosque. These actions fuel the conflict in the region,' the foreign ministry emphasized. Ben-Gvir's Controversial Visit Ben-Gvir visited the sensitive Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, claiming he prayed there, challenging the established rules governing one of the most contentious sites in the Middle East. Under a delicate decades-old 'status quo' arrangement with Muslim authorities, a Jordanian religious foundation administers the Al-Aqsa compound. Jews can visit, but they cannot pray there. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterated its demand for the international community to intervene. The ministry urged an end to the actions of Israeli occupation officials that violate international laws and undermine peace efforts in the region. Furthermore, Jordan also condemned Ben-Gvir's actions at Al-Aqsa, with A foreign ministry statement describing his visit as 'a flagrant violation of international law and humanitarian law, an unacceptable provocation, and a condemned escalation.' 'Israel holds no sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif,' the statement asserted. Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Sufian Qudah reiterated Jordan's 'absolute rejection and firm condemnation' of the extremist minister's actions. He also criticized the Israeli police for facilitating repeated settler entries into Al-Aqsa Mosque. Consequences of Provocations Qudah warned that such actions breach the historical and legal status quo of the mosque. He stated that they represent an attempt to divide the site temporally and spatially, which desecrates its sanctity. He cautioned against the consequences of these provocations and violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. Qudah emphasized that these actions aim for 'further dangerous escalation and unilateral measures in the occupied West Bank.' In conclusion, the ongoing tensions surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque highlight the urgent need for dialogue and respect for established agreements to maintain peace in the region. Short link :
