Riyadh witnessed a crucial dialogue between India’s NSA Ajit Doval and his Saudi counterpart Musaid bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, centering on bilateral security ties and regional hotspots. The Wednesday meeting marked a key step in the evolving India-Saudi partnership.
According to the Indian Embassy’s post on X, conversations covered cooperative frameworks, shared regional priorities, and broader global challenges. Doval’s arrival on Tuesday was marked by receptions from top diplomats, setting the stage for substantive exchanges.
This interaction follows the recent third Security Working Group session, where both sides assessed progress in counter-terrorism efforts. Extremism, radicalization, terror funding, tech-enabled threats, and organized crime-terror nexuses dominated the talks.
A strong joint stance emerged against terrorism in all manifestations, referencing specific incidents like the Pahalgam civilian attack on April 22, 2025, and the Red Fort vicinity event on November 10, 2025. Emphasis was placed on judicial cooperation and law enforcement synergies.
The session, led by Indian Joint Secretary Vinod Bihade and Saudi official Ahmad Al-Eisa, reflects heightened collaboration. Meanwhile, India hosted the India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi after a decade, attended by Arab counterparts.
As world geopolitics flux, India’s outreach to Arab states intensifies. Balancing Saudi-Pakistan closeness, India-UAE defense pacts grow, highlighted by UAE President’s short January 19 visit to meet PM Modi. PM Modi’s vision positions India as a pivotal player in Arab strategic landscapes, enhancing security, economic, and diplomatic pillars.