India-Saudi Arabia Relations - Strategic Convergence and Parallel Transformations

Context:

• PM Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia reflects a maturing bilateral relationship.
• Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), Saudi Arabia is undergoing profound political, economic, and social transformation.
• The visit signifies a transformative bilateral engagement, strategic recalibration in India’s West Asia policy and Saudi Arabia’s shift toward global multi-alignment.

Historical Context - From Neglect to Strategic Priority:

• Underperformance in earlier decades:
  • Indian Prime Ministerial visits to Saudi Arabia between 1947–2014: Nehru (1955), Indira Gandhi (1982), Manmohan Singh (2010).
  • Reflects past under-prioritisation due to ideological posturing, Pakistan-centric concerns, and low political investment.
• Shift since the 21st century - Turning points:
  • Jaswant Singh’s visit (2000) and King Abdullah’s visit to India (2006).
  • Initiated de-hyphenation of Saudi Arabia from Pakistan in Indian foreign policy.
  • Manmohan Singh’s 2010 visit broadened strategic cooperation, especially in counterterrorism.

India’s Strategic Reorientation under Modi:

• Modi’s diplomatic outreach:
  • Three visits to Saudi Arabia (2016, 2019, 2024).
  • Elevation of the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia, in India’s Act West Policy.
• Key areas of cooperation:
  • Energy security: Continued reliance on Saudi crude oil.
  • Economic collaboration: Investment, infrastructure, and digital economy.
  • Technology and connectivity: Collaboration in digital infrastructure and logistics.
  • Security cooperation: Counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, maritime security.

The MbS Era - Reform, Realignment, and Resurgence:

• Consolidation of power:
  • MbS appointed Crown Prince in 2017, Prime Minister in 2022.
  • Shift from consensus-based governance to centralised authority.
  • Increase in administrative efficiency but concerns over authoritarian tendencies.
• Vision 2030 - Economic diversification:
  • Launched in 2016 to reduce oil dependency.
  • Focus on:
    • Tourism (e.g., NEOM project).
    • Technology and innovation.
    • Entertainment and renewable energy.
    • Partial privatisation of Saudi Aramco to attract FDI.

Social Liberalisation in the Kingdom:

• Progressive reforms:
  • Women’s rights expanded: Right to drive, increased workforce participation.
  • Public entertainment normalised: Cinemas, concerts, tourism initiatives.
• Promotion of moderate Islam:
  • Critical for global counter-extremism.
  • Realignment of Saudi religious identity to promote tolerance and coexistence.

Foreign Policy Shift - From Dependence to Multi-Alignment:

• Assertiveness and pragmatism:
  • Military intervention in Yemen, blockade on Qatar, opposition to Iran.
  • Subsequent diplomatic recalibration: Rapprochement with Qatar, Turkey, and Iran.
• Expanding strategic horizons:
  • Move beyond US dependence: Stronger ties with China, Russia, and Global South, and its decision to join the expanded BRICS grouping.
  • Engagement in multipolar diplomacy: Mediation in Ukraine crisis, dialogue facilitation between US-Russia.
• Normalisation with Israel:
  • Conditional support for Israel-Palestine peace process (Two-State solution).
  • Strategic balancing in regional geopolitics.

Convergence with India’s Middle East Policy:

• Parallel leadership trajectories:
  • Modi (2014) and MbS (2015–17) symbolise assertive, pragmatic leadership.
  • Both leaders focus on interest-based diplomacy, domestic modernisation, and global positioning.
• Strategic alignment: India and Saudi Arabia share:
  • Non-ideological pragmatism.
  • Focus on economic transformation.
  • Drive toward regional leadership and global engagement.

Conclusion - The Road Ahead:

• Modi’s visit reflects the deepening Indo-Saudi partnership grounded in mutual strategic interests.
• Saudi Arabia’s domestic reforms and foreign policy realignment under MbS present new avenues for India’s energy security, diaspora welfare, economic cooperation, and geopolitical influence in West Asia.

Q1. Examine the factors responsible for the transformation of India–Saudi Arabia relations in the 21st century.

Ans. Key factors include de-hyphenation from Pakistan, energy and economic cooperation, counterterrorism collaboration, and high-level political engagement under Vision 2030 and India's Act West Policy.

Q2. Discuss the significance of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for India's foreign policy interests.

Ans. Vision 2030 opens avenues for India in investment, infrastructure, technology, and skilled labour mobility, aligning with India's economic and strategic objectives in the Gulf.

Q3. How has Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman altered the domestic and foreign policy orientation of Saudi Arabia?

Ans. MbS centralised governance, liberalised social norms, launched Vision 2030 for diversification, and adopted a pragmatic multi-alignment approach in foreign policy.

Q4. What are the key strategic domains of cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia in recent years?

Ans. The major areas include energy security, defence and counterterrorism, digital infrastructure, diaspora welfare, and regional connectivity.

Q5. Critically analyse the role of pragmatism in shaping India’s and Saudi Arabia’s contemporary foreign policies.

Ans. Both nations have moved from ideology-based approaches to interest-driven, flexible diplomacy to secure national interests and enhance regional influence. 

Source:IE