Saudi-Indian ties

Both countries have much in common. Each has been undergoing far-reaching changes and each has set out to assert a high-profile role on the world stage, for instance as members of the G20. Meanwhile, since the end of the Cold War, the world around us has changed, offering new challenges, not least the evil of terrorism, as well as new opportunities, in terms of both trade and diplomacy.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s 2006 visit to India was designed to lay the foundation of a new relationship, which would dispel past suspicions and explore ways in which India and the Kingdom could work together. Now Premier Singh is visiting us and the significance of his trip is underlined by the fact that it is the first time in 28 years that an Indian leader has made the journey to Riyadh.

Therefore, high hopes rest on the renewal of what has been a historic relationship reaching back several centuries. Saudi Arabia’s trading importance to India extends beyond the fact that we supply a quarter of India’s oil needs. Our non-oil exports have grown strongly in recent years. As India’s spectacular economic growth continues, Saudi capital can help finance new ventures.

Indian exports to the Kingdom have, meanwhile, been coming close to doubling year on year and at the end of 2008 stood at more than $3.7 billion. Clearly we have much to gain from India’s burgeoning IT and high technology sector. With world-class facilities such as King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the opportunities for much closer cooperation, not least on advanced research, are obvious. Boosting trade and technology exchanges between friendly nations is, however, relatively simple. Creating trust at a diplomatic level requires something more. Both India and Saudi Arabia have experienced the scourge of international terror and are watching with concern as the region now grapples with the hydra of extremism. A stable Pakistan is a key to wider regional security and indeed prosperity. The inconclusive end to last week’s talks between India and Pakistan was, therefore, a disappointment to all parties. The important factor is, however, that both New Delhi and Islamabad are talking again and in doing so recognize that it is only through negotiations, however long and hard, that a lasting settlement of their differences will be ironed out.

It is certain that during his visit Manmohan Singh will be offered by the king and his government whatever help they can to ease this difficult but extremely important rapprochement.

Whatever other agreements come out of the Indian leader’s visit to us, it must be hoped that he will leave with the conviction that Saudi Arabia really is willing and anxious to play its part in promoting cordial relations between India and its neighbors. This reciprocal top-level meeting will ideally complete the foundation of trust, which will now allow Saudi and Indian ministers, diplomats and businessmen to build up a new and deeper relationship.