India, Saudi Arabia to boost bilateral maritime relations

India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen bilateral maritime relations. Both countries have formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on maritime cooperation in the shipping and logistics sectors, marking a new chapter in the strategic partnership. This decision was taken during a high-level virtual meeting between Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Mr Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. The establishment of the strategic partnership council, co-chaired by the leaders of both countries, has elevated bilateral cooperation to new heights. Mr Sonowal pointed to recent developments, including the launch of the Jeddah-Mundra/Nhava Sheva route by Saudi Arabia’s Folk Maritime, which is expected to cut down transit times and costs. Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trading partner, while India stands as the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade in FY 2024-25 stood at approximately USD 42 billion, as per a report.

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