Saudi Army Chief Discusses Defence Cooperation With General Naravane
Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair, Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces was received by General MM Naravane, in New Delhi. General Fahd Bin has arrived in India on a two day visit.
This is the first visit by a serving Royal Saudi Land Forces Commander to India and marks deepening of bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. General MM Naravane had earlier visited Saudi Arabia in December 2020, the first time an Indian Army Chief visited Saudi Arabia.
The two Generals held significant bilateral daallqiscussions. The Saudi General was also briefed on various security aspects that engulf India. Among the things agreed upon were the increase in the number of bilateral courses and a “scoping delegation” to see where engagement can be deepened between the two armies.
Importantly, the Army Design Bureau made a presentation to Lt Gen Mutair on the rapid strides made by the Indian defence industry and induction of in-service equipment by the Indian Army.
India now has the capability and the capacity to become a major defence supplier to Saudi Arabia and that too at a very competitive price. The military equipment being manufactured by India are technically at par with the Western equipment.
They also highlighted the initiatives of the Indian government to facilitate Ease of Doing Business, including the contribution of start-ups.
The ministry of defence in its press release said: “The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia has grown owing to common interests in economic prosperity, eliminating the scourge of terrorism and mitigating the effects of climate change. Defence diplomacy forms one of the major tenets of the overall relationship.”
Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair will leave for Saudi Arabia on February 16.
