A key highlight of the talks was the exploration of collaboration in operational logistics, battlefield management systems, and niche technologies.
The inaugural Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) took place in New Delhi from April 23-24, 2025. This significant event marked a new milestone in the defence ties between India and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing their growing strategic partnership.
The discussions focused on a variety of areas within the Annual Defence Cooperation Plan, with the goal of enhancing bilateral military relations and fostering greater interoperability between the two forces. Central to the talks was the planning of Joint Exercise Sada Tanseeq, which will serve as a crucial platform for operational training and skill-sharing between the Indian and Saudi forces. In addition to the joint exercise, the talks also covered military training, educational exchanges, and domain expert interactions, with both sides aiming to bolster their capabilities in areas of mutual interest.
A key highlight of the talks was the exploration of collaboration in operational logistics, battlefield management systems, and niche technologies. The discussions on these topics reflected the growing emphasis on enhancing military effectiveness and operational synergy. By focusing on these critical areas, both countries aim to improve their defence capabilities and develop a more integrated approach to managing potential security challenges in the region.
The Indian Ministry of Defence shared details of the talks on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the two sides also deliberated on further avenues for cooperation in the field of military technology. Both countries expressed a commitment to deepening their defence ties and developing strategies that would enhance their readiness and responsiveness in the face of emerging threats.
The strengthening of defence relations between India and Saudi Arabia comes on the heels of a broader strategic partnership, which was further solidified during the State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia. During this visit, both sides acknowledged the deepening of their defence ties as a vital pillar of their broader strategic cooperation. They also welcomed the formation of a Ministerial Committee on Defence Cooperation, which was created under the framework of the Strategic Partnership Council.
A joint statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the progress in joint defence cooperation, noting numerous milestones such as the first-ever Land Forces exercise Sada Tanseeq and two rounds of Naval Exercises AL MOHED AL HINDI. These exercises, along with a series of high-level visits and training exchanges, have significantly contributed to strengthening security and stability in the region. Both sides also acknowledged the successful outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation held in Riyadh in September 2024. The staff-level talks initiated by both countries’ armed forces further demonstrate their commitment to enhancing bilateral defence cooperation across all three military services.
In addition to defence, both countries have also seen a significant boost in their economic relationship, with trade and investment ties growing stronger in recent years. Both India and Saudi Arabia have expressed their intent to continue building on these economic connections while also fostering greater collaboration in the defence industry.
Overall, the inaugural Army-to-Army Staff Talks between the Indian Army and the Royal Saudi Land Forces have laid a strong foundation for further cooperation in military, strategic, and economic domains. The talks reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to work together towards ensuring peace, security, and stability in the region, while also boosting their individual military capabilities through collaboration and mutual support.
