The GCC-India alliance is strong

Narendra Modi’s visit to Riyadh is a step towards closer relations with New Delhi

Saudi King Salman and India's prime minister Narendra Modi shaking hands during their meeting in Riyadh. AFP Photo

Indian prime minster Narendra Modi met Saudi Arabia’s King Salman in Riyadh on Sunday as part of a historic visit to the kingdom. The two leaders discussed issues ranging from defence cooperation to intelligence sharing and trade, which reached $39 billion (Dh143bn) between the two countries in 2014. Saudi Arabia used its position as the largest supplier of crude oil to India to encourage the country not to buy newly available Iranian oil, in an effort to contain Tehran’s economic footprint in the region.

Beyond the agreements and joint statements, Mr Modi’s visit is an critical step towards entrenching warm relations between the Arabian Peninsula and the subcontinent that have stretched back for centuries.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, led a UAE delegation to India this yearfor a three-day visit that cemented the close ties between the countries.

Sheikh Mohammed signed various agreements with Mr Modi covering trade and investment, security, counterterrorism, space exploration, renewable energy, infrastructure and cultural cooperation.

Given the large numbers of Indian expatriates workers throughout the GCC and especially in Saudi Arabia, the recent string of visits and meetings between the Indian leadership and counterparts in the Gulf are a positive demonstrations of a burgeoning alliance stretching across the region to India.

Together we are able to face challenges ranging from containing extremists to building smart infrastructure that will enable our countries to be nimble for the challenges of the global economy. Given the shared history of trade between this part of the world and south Asia, we have an excellent foundation from which we can watch our alliance flourish.

There has never been a better time for the GCC to upgrade its collective relationship with India and Mr Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia is confirmation of this.