PM Modi & Crown Prince: Middle-East Corridor
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are set to bolster their already strong relationship during the upcoming meeting. This personal bond, built on mutual trust, is expected to further solidify ties between the two nations. The focus of their discussions will be the Middle-East Corridor Project, a critical initiative that could reshape global trade dynamics.
Despite his relatively young age of 38, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the driving force behind the Middle-East corridor concept. He initially reached out to India and later engaged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States in this ambitious venture, which holds immense potential for global commerce.
The personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a cornerstone of the India-Saudi Arabia relationship. Riyadh is keen to invest in India and is open to the possibility of conducting trade in oil exports using the Indian Rupee and the Saudi Riyal.
Additionally, the two nations share strategic and security interests, particularly in countering religious radicalization by pan-Islamic groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda.
Thanks to the joint efforts and candid conversations between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and PM Modi, Pakistan's influence in their bilateral equation has diminished significantly.
However, Pakistan continues to exploit the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) platform for settling personal grievances with India. Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has made concerted efforts to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia, moving beyond the historical lens of Pakistan's influence.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has undertaken sweeping reforms and empowered women in Saudi Arabia while retaining the country's religious foundations. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia has gained substantial global influence, competing with other major Sunni powers in the Middle East and engaging with both Western nations and China in pursuit of its national interests.
Although Saudi Arabia and the United States faced strains over the Khashoggi incident, relations have improved, thanks in part to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and after Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted an Arab summit in Riyadh in December 2022. Prime Minister Modi facilitated a meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Joe Biden during the launch of the Middle-East corridor project at the G-20 summit.
Years of diligent relationship-building have transformed India and Saudi Arabia into close trade partners. The Middle-East corridor project is a shared dream, and Saudi Arabia will be a pivotal investor, funding an 850-kilometer railroad from Jordan to Haifa Port for the northern leg of the corridor. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's leadership, Saudi Arabia seeks similar concessions to those granted to the UAE, promising double the investment in India.
Today, the India-Saudi Arabia relationship is grounded in robust political and historical ties, extending beyond mere trade and investment. Both nations collaborate closely on security and defense matters, with their intelligence agencies maintaining continuous communication for mutual benefit. From an Indian perspective, Crown Prince Salman's state visit holds great significance, rivaling the just-concluded G-20 summit in terms of importance.
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