Top Saudi, Indian military commanders discuss defense cooperation

AKIPRESS.COM - Indian Army chief General M M Naravane on December 13 met top Saudi Generals and discussed issues of common interest and ways to enhance bilateral defense cooperation during his historic visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Print reported.
Gen Naravane, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on the second leg of his two-nation visit that included the United Arab Emirates, is the first-ever Chief of the Indian Army to travel to the two strategically important Gulf countries.
Saudi Arabia's Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili received Indian Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane at his office here on Sunday.
"During the meeting, they discussed issues of common interest in addition to means of enhancing bilateral cooperation," state-run Saudi Press agency reported.
Gen. M.M. Naravane discussed issues of bilateral defense cooperation with General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutir, Commander of Royal Saudi Land Forces.
He also received a Guard of Honour at headquarters of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.
Gen Naravane also interacted with Lt Gen Mutlaq bin Salim bin Al-Azima, the Commander of the Joint Forces of Saudi Arabia, and exchanged views on defense cooperation.
Gen Naravane earlier visited the UAE where he discussed bilateral defense cooperation and issues of mutual interest with the UAE's Commander of the Land Forces Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri.
His visit is seen as a reflection of India's growing strategic ties with the two countries and is expected to further open up new avenues for cooperation in the defense and security sphere.
Gen Naravane's visit comes in the midst of fast-paced developments in the Gulf region including normalization of Israel's relations with several Arab countries.
Indian Army said in a statement that the visit is historic in the sense that it will be the first time an Indian Army chief is visiting the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Gen. Naravane's visit to the Gulf region comes days after India's foreign minister Jaishankar's trips to Bahrain and the UAE during which he called on top leaders of the two countries.
In the last few years, India's ties with Saudi Arabia and the UAE have witnessed a major upswing.