In a significant diplomatic engagement, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with Saudi Arabia’s National Security Advisor Musaid bin Mohammed Al-Aiban in Riyadh on Wednesday. The meeting focused on bolstering bilateral cooperation while addressing key regional concerns.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh shared details on X, highlighting discussions on mutual interests, regional stability, and other pressing matters. This comes as Doval arrived in the Saudi capital on Tuesday for an official visit, receiving a warm welcome from Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Saud Al-Sate.
Both nations are deepening their security collaboration. Prior to this high-level huddle, the third meeting of the Security Working Group under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council reviewed ongoing bilateral security initiatives. Topics ranged from countering terrorism and extremism to disrupting terror financing and curbing technology misuse by terrorists.
The agenda also tackled transnational organized crime and its linkages with terrorism. Officials condemned all forms of terrorism, specifically cross-border attacks, including the horrific assault on innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, and the incident near Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, 2025.
Co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism) Vinod Bihade and Saudi’s Director General Ahmad Al-Eisa, the session emphasized enhancing mutual legal assistance and law enforcement cooperation. This meeting underscores India’s strategic pivot towards Gulf nations amid rapidly shifting global dynamics.
India’s foreign policy of diversification shines through, avoiding over-reliance on any single partner. While Saudi Arabia strengthens ties with Pakistan, it simultaneously advances defense cooperation with India and the UAE. Recent UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s brief visit to India on January 19 for a meeting with PM Modi exemplifies this momentum.
Under PM Modi’s leadership, India is fortifying diplomatic and strategic bonds with Arab countries, signaling a new era of multifaceted partnerships in security, trade, and beyond.