Indian and Saudi Arabia conduct naval exercise
India and Saudi Arabia are further expanding the scope of their defence relations. Various high-level defence interactions have been increasing. This is indicative of a strong commitment between the two countries to broaden the scope of cooperation to the strategic arena.
India and the Saud Kingdom established the Strategic Partnership Council four years ago. It is focused on four areas: political issues, security, socio-cultural relations and defence cooperation.
Both countries are working to boost defence cooperation with each other, the Indian Navy has said after one of its vessels visited Jeddah last week and conducted an exercise with the Royal Saudi Navy.
INS Chennai, currently one of the three largest destroyers was deployed for a mission on the Red Sea on Aug. 3, during which it made a port call to Jeddah. The Ship held a passage exercise with the Royal Saudi Naval ship HMS Al-Jubail.
“Towards augmenting the deep-rooted friendly ties and multi-faceted defence cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia, INS Chennai visited Jeddah from 03 to 05 Aug,” the Indian Navy said in a press release. INS Chennai followed the port call with a passage exercise after leaving Jeddah on Saturday, the Indian Navy said.
This exercise has followed the four weeks training of 55 cadets and five instructors from the King Fahd Naval Academy of Saudi Arabia, aboard two Indian vessels in June.
The exercise conducted off Jeddah, included tactical manoeuvres, seamanship evolutions and communication drills (that) contributed to reinforcing mutual trust, cementing operational understanding, and enhancing interoperability between the two navies.
India is deepening its defence ties with Saudi Arabia as the two countries navigate the dangerous waters of a changing global order.
In fact a retired Indian Army officer, Colonel Awadhesh Kumar has written an excellent book NAVIGATING DANGEROUS WATERS.
Both countries are now vocal and assertive representatives of the Global South, which automatically binds them with a common agenda, including defence cooperation.
The benefit of stronger defence cooperation will be mutual between KSA and India and herald in a stronger multi Polarism.
A strong maritime presence of Indian Navy in the region of the Arabian Sea are likely to benefit both New Delhi and Riyadh.
Such cooperation will also deepen mutual trust and understanding and encourage Saudi Arabia to invest more and more in India.
