India-Saudi Arabia Bolster Defence Ties in 6th JCDC Meeting

Meeting Overview and Participants

• The 6th Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) meeting was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on September 4, 2024.
• Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, including officials from the Ministry of Defence.
• Saudi Arabian delegation led by Major General Salman Bin Awadh Al-Harbi, Deputy Minister of Defence for Strategic Affairs.
• The JCDC is an institutional mechanism under the MoU on Defence Cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.
• This committee was established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia in October 2019.
• It is one of four Joint Working Groups under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

Key Discussion Points and Objectives

• Explored new avenues to strengthen long-standing and multi-faceted defence cooperation.
• Detailed deliberations on expanding engagement in various areas:

a) Military collaboration

b) Training programs

c) Defence industry cooperation

d) Research and Development (R&D)

• Conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing defence engagements.
• Discussed joint exercises, expert exchanges, and industry cooperation.
• Both sides expressed satisfaction with progress in existing areas of cooperation.
• Reached consensus to enhance overall defence cooperation at a strategic level.
• Aimed to provide a framework for defence collaboration between the two countries.

Significance and Future Implications

• Underscores the growing importance of India-Saudi Arabia defence partnership.
• Reflects the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and South Asia.
• Signals continued commitment from both countries to deepen military ties.
• Builds upon centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties between the nations.
• Potentially paves the way for more robust defence collaborations in the future.
• Strengthens the Strategic Partnership established between the two countries.
• Contributes to expanding bilateral cooperation beyond traditional areas.