Indian Navy Chief, Admiral R Hari Kumar, and Admiral Fahad Abdullah S Al-Ghofaily, Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, engaged in discussions on Thursday aimed at enhancing collaborative mechanisms and measures to further fortify navy-to-navy cooperation. Admiral Al-Ghofaily’s four-day official visit to India, commencing on January 10, signifies the enduring relationship between the navies of Saudi Arabia and India, according to a statement from the defence ministry.
During the visit, Admiral Al-Ghofaily met with Admiral Kumar, and both leaders explored avenues to deepen navy-to-navy cooperation. The ceremonial reception included a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns of the Raisina Hills complex.
The defence ministry highlighted existing initiatives fostering collaboration between the Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Force. These initiatives range from operational interactions, such as the bilateral naval exercise Al Mohed Al Hindi, to training programs and various maritime engagements. The Indian Navy has been actively involved in port calls at Saudi Arabian ports, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening bilateral maritime ties.
Furthermore, both navies have collaborated in multilateral fora, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), MILAN, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), and Djibouti Code of Conduct – Jeddah Amendment (DCoC-JA). This collaborative approach aims to enhance maritime security in the region, underlining the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding shared interests.