Opinion | Why Saudi Arabia Cadets Are On Indian Warships

India-Saudi Arabia ties hold significance because of the emerging geopolitical alignments in the region. Both understand the need to shed old mindsets and foster a relationship of trust.

76 trainees from the King Fahad Naval Academy of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces are undergoing a month-long training programme at the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

The bilateral relationship between India and Saudi Arabia is experiencing a resurgence, particularly in the defence sector. While the Indian diaspora – there are an estimated 2.28 million Indians in Saudi Arabia – and energy partnership have long been the foundation of their relations, the recent focus on defence signifies a deepening mutual trust between the two nations. The ongoing training programme involving Saudi naval cadets on Indian warships serves as a symbol of the growing