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<p><strong>India Saudi Arabia defence ties</strong> have entered the spotlight after New Delhi sent a pointed diplomatic message urging Riyadh to respect regional sensitivities in light of its expanding military relationship with Pakistan. This move reflects not only the complexities of Gulf geopolitics but also India’s determination to safeguard its strategic interests in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).</p>



<p>India’s statement, while carefully couched in diplomatic language, marks a subtle shift from quiet observation to proactive signalling. By highlighting its concerns publicly, New Delhi has demonstrated that defence partnerships between Riyadh and Islamabad cannot be viewed in isolation from South Asian security dynamics.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India Saudi Arabia Defence Ties: Historical Context</h2>



<p>India and Saudi Arabia share centuries-old cultural and trade connections, but defence and strategic engagement deepened only in the last two decades. The landmark <strong>2006 Riyadh Declaration</strong> and subsequent high-level visits, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2016 and 2019 trips, cemented a comprehensive strategic partnership.</p>



<p>Defence ties have included joint naval exercises, counterterrorism cooperation, and intelligence sharing. Saudi Arabia’s role as a major energy supplier—accounting for nearly 18% of India’s crude imports—has also underpinned the partnership.</p>



<p>However, Riyadh’s continued defence relationship with Pakistan, including military training and equipment procurement, has remained a persistent irritant for New Delhi. The latest developments rekindle old concerns: that Saudi–Pakistani military collaboration could indirectly affect India’s security calculus.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why India is Concerned About Saudi Arabia–Pakistan Defence Relations</h2>



<p>India’s concerns are rooted in both security and strategic signaling. Riyadh has historically relied on Pakistani military expertise, including the stationing of Pakistani officers within Saudi armed forces. In recent years, reports of defence industrial cooperation, arms sales, and joint training have resurfaced.</p>



<p>For India, this raises three key issues:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Strategic Spillover:</strong> Pakistan could leverage Saudi resources for military modernization, complicating India’s threat perception.</li>



<li><strong>Symbolic Signaling:</strong> Saudi Arabia’s visible partnership with Pakistan dilutes India’s growing role as a Gulf partner of choice.</li>



<li><strong>Regional Balancing:</strong> At a time when India is deepening ties with the US, France, and Gulf states, any tilt towards Pakistan undermines the strategic narrative of India as a stabilizing regional actor.</li>
</ol>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic Interdependence and Strategic Leverage</h2>



<p>While defence ties remain sensitive, the India–Saudi partnership is deeply anchored in economics. Bilateral trade reached nearly <strong>$52 billion in FY 2023–24</strong>, making Saudi Arabia one of India’s top trading partners. Energy dependence continues to give Riyadh leverage, but New Delhi has sought to balance this by diversifying imports, increasing LNG supplies from Qatar and the US, and pushing for renewable collaborations.</p>



<p>At the same time, Saudi Arabia values India’s vast market and workforce. Nearly <strong>2.6 million Indians live in Saudi Arabia</strong>, contributing significantly to remittances and local industry. This interdependence creates a structural incentive for Riyadh to accommodate India’s concerns, even as it balances ties with Pakistan.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India Saudi Arabia Defence Ties in the Broader Gulf Context</h2>



<p>India’s engagement with the Gulf has expanded dramatically, not just with Saudi Arabia but also with the <strong>United Arab Emirates (UAE)</strong>, <strong>Qatar</strong>, and <strong>Oman</strong>. The India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has arguably outpaced India–Saudi defence ties, featuring joint exercises, intelligence cooperation, and investments in defence technology.</p>



<p>Saudi Arabia, however, remains central to India’s strategic calculus because of its economic heft, religious influence in the Islamic world, and its role in global energy markets. New Delhi’s diplomatic message must therefore be seen as a calibrated attempt to ensure Riyadh does not undermine India’s security by aligning too closely with Islamabad.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strategic Implications for India</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reinforcing Strategic Autonomy</h3>



<p>India’s message to Riyadh highlights its <strong>strategic autonomy</strong>: it seeks closer ties with Gulf powers but will not compromise on core security interests. This mirrors India’s broader foreign policy approach, where it maintains partnerships with the US, Russia, and Gulf nations while carefully managing contradictions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Balancing Pakistan’s Gulf Influence</h3>



<p>Pakistan has historically leveraged religious and military ties with Saudi Arabia. India’s intervention signals a willingness to challenge this narrative and assert its own role as an indispensable Gulf partner.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Indo-Pacific Link</h3>



<p>As India positions itself as a key player in the Indo-Pacific, stability in the Gulf is crucial for maritime energy flows and logistics. Defence ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan risk complicating this environment by indirectly fueling regional rivalry.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India Saudi Arabia Defence Ties: Regional Security Risks</h2>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Proxy Risks:</strong> Saudi investments in Pakistan’s defence industries could enhance Islamabad’s missile or UAV programmes, indirectly affecting South Asia’s balance.</li>



<li><strong>Counterterrorism Ambiguity:</strong> Close Saudi–Pakistani ties risk complicating trilateral counterterrorism cooperation, especially on terror financing linked to South Asia.</li>



<li><strong>Strategic Distraction:</strong> India may be forced to invest more in diplomatic balancing, diverting attention from Indo-Pacific priorities.</li>
</ol>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">External Perspectives</h2>



<p>According to <strong>SIPRI’s Arms Transfer Database</strong> (<a href="https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers">SIPRI</a>), Saudi Arabia remains the world’s largest arms importer, while Pakistan remains a mid-tier player dependent on foreign suppliers. India’s entry as a top defence importer, and increasingly as an exporter, creates a triangular competition.</p>



<p>A <strong>RAND Corporation study</strong> (<a href="https://www.rand.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.rand.org/">RAND</a>) notes that Gulf states often pursue multiple partnerships to maximize leverage. For India, this means navigating a complex web of alignments without overcommitting or alienating partners.</p>



<p>The <strong>PIB</strong> (<a href="https://pib.gov.in" data-type="link" data-id="https://pib.gov.in">PIB Defence</a>) has also highlighted India’s push for <em>Atmanirbhar Bharat</em> in defence exports, positioning India as a potential supplier to Gulf states—an area that could counter Pakistan’s presence.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Internal Links</h2>



<p>For related coverage, see DefenceBroadcast’s <a href="https://defencebroadcast.com/global-defence/" data-type="link" data-id="https://defencebroadcast.com/global-defence/">Global Defence</a> and <a href="https://defencebroadcast.com/defence-budget-policy/" data-type="link" data-id="https://defencebroadcast.com/defence-budget-policy/">Defence Budget &; Policy</a> categories.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Strategic Takeaways and Outlook</h2>



<p>India’s diplomatic nudge to Saudi Arabia reflects a confident, assertive foreign policy. By openly linking Saudi–Pakistan defence ties to regional sensitivities, New Delhi has underlined its non-negotiable red lines. Going forward, India is likely to deepen economic and security cooperation with Riyadh, while also offering indigenous defence technologies to counter Pakistan’s influence.</p>



<p>The future of India Saudi Arabia defence ties will hinge on how effectively both nations balance energy, trade, and strategic concerns. For India, maintaining credibility as a partner of choice while safeguarding its core interests will be the defining challenge in Gulf diplomacy.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FAQ</h2>



<p><strong>Q1: Why is India concerned about Saudi Arabia’s defence ties with Pakistan?</strong><br>India fears that closer Riyadh–Islamabad cooperation could indirectly support Pakistan’s military modernization and undermine New Delhi’s security interests.</p>



<p><strong>Q2: How do India Saudi Arabia defence ties affect regional security?</strong><br>They shape South Asian stability, Gulf power dynamics, and India’s broader Indo-Pacific role by influencing defence partnerships and counterterrorism cooperation.</p>



<p><strong>Q3: Can India offset Pakistan’s influence in Saudi Arabia?</strong><br>Yes, through deeper economic engagement, defence exports under <em>Atmanirbhar Bharat</em>, and leveraging its large expatriate community to strengthen ties.</p>

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