India and Saudi Arabia have jointly called on all nations to reject terrorism as a means of achieving their goals and to prevent the proliferation of weapons, including missiles and drones, for terrorist activities. In a joint statement following their meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman emphasised the importance of security and stability in Afghanistan and the need for an inclusive government that represents all Afghans. It is most important to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorist and extremist groups once again.
The pressing need of the moment is to strengthen security cooperation in the fight against terrorism and its funding, recognising that terrorism in all its manifestations poses a severe global threat. India has consistently emphasised the importance of cutting off the financial lifelines of terrorism, and Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in this endeavour. India, uniquely, has been grappling with terrorism for the past four decades, with two of its neighbouring nations, Pakistan and Afghanistan, serving as focal points for terrorist activities. Pakistan, in particular, continues to be deeply involved in these activities, including the smuggling of narcotics through border crossings, waterways, and aerial routes to finance terrorism as an official policy. Given Saudi Arabia’s considerable influence in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, India’s ability to secure support from Saudi in the joint effort against terrorism holds significant importance. To eradicate terrorism from the Indian subcontinent, a comprehensive approach involving all available resources is imperative. Enhanced cooperation in various areas, including cyber security, maritime security, combating transnational crime, narcotics, and drug trafficking, is key to fighting terrorism. India and Saudi Arabia have common economic interests in several fields worth billions, like the West Coast refinery project, defence, semiconductors, and space. Agreements have been signed to boost cooperation in digitization and investment. This visit is a continuation of the notable upward trend in bilateral relations observed in the recent past.
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