In a significant step towards bolstering bilateral security ties, the third meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Security Working Group convened in Riyadh on Wednesday. This gathering, held under the auspices of the Political, Trade, and Security Cooperation Committee of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), was co-chaired by Dr. Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ahmad Al-Eisa, Director General of Legal Affairs and International Cooperation in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior.
Both nations unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorism, with particular emphasis on cross-border terrorism. They highlighted the horrific terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, and the terror incident near the Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, 2025. These condemnations underscore a shared resolve to confront such threats head-on.
The discussions delved deeply into a comprehensive review of ongoing security cooperation. Delegates exchanged insights on threats posed by terrorist groups operating both globally and in their respective regions. A key focus was enhancing collaboration to tackle both existing and emerging challenges in counter-terrorism efforts.
Emerging issues identified included countering extremism and radicalization, disrupting terror financing networks, preventing the misuse of technology for terrorist purposes, and addressing the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism. The two sides also explored ways to strengthen bilateral legal and judicial cooperation, as well as collaboration in law enforcement.
Looking ahead, the next meeting of the Security Working Group will take place in India at a mutually agreed date. This follows the expansion of the bilateral SPC last April, which introduced two new ministerial committees—one for defense cooperation and another for tourism and culture. These developments signal a maturing strategic partnership aimed at safeguarding regional stability.