India Saudi Arabia Joint Working Group to Deepen Maritime Cooperation
India and Saudi Arabia have formed a Joint Working Group aimed at improving marine collaboration, aligning strategic goals, and investigating investments in ports and logistics to enhance trade and connectivity. The two nations have come to an agreement to bolster maritime cooperation by establishing a Joint Working Group (JWG) dedicated to shipping and logistics. This decision was made during a high-level virtual meeting held on August 22, 2025, which included India’s Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.
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भारत और सऊदी अरब ने समुद्री सहयोग को बेहतर बनाने, रणनीतिक लक्ष्यों को संरेखित करने और व्यापार एवं संपर्क बढ़ाने के लिए बंदरगाहों एवं रसद में निवेश की संभावनाओं पर विचार-विमर्श हेतु एक संयुक्त कार्य समूह का गठन किया है। दोनों देशों ने नौवहन और रसद के लिए समर्पित एक संयुक्त कार्य समूह (JWG) की स्थापना करके समुद्री सहयोग को बढ़ावा देने पर सहमति व्यक्त की है। यह निर्णय 22 अगस्त, 2025 को आयोजित एक उच्च-स्तरीय वर्चुअल बैठक के दौरान लिया गया, जिसमें भारत के केंद्रीय मंत्री सर्बानंद सोनोवाल और सऊदी अरब के परिवहन एवं रसद सेवा मंत्री सालेह बिन नासिर अल-जस्सर शामिल थे।
Key Features of the Maritime Agreement
Establishment of a Joint Working Group (JWG)
- Focuses on collaboration in shipping and logistics.
- Facilitates policy discussions, planning for investments, and alignment of projects.
Key Transport Corridors
- Folk Maritime Services’ prominent initiative is the maritime route connecting Jeddah to Mundra/Nhava Sheva, which is set to
- Decrease transit durations.
- Reduce trade expenses.
- Enhance connectivity between Indian and Saudi ports.
Digital Cooperation
- India has sought Saudi participation in the MAITRI digital platform.
- Aims to streamline maritime trade.
- Promotes paperless transactions, cargo tracking, and transparency in logistics.
Alignment of Strategic Visions
India’s Vision
- Maritime India’s Vision 2030
- Amrit Kaal’s Vision 2047
Saudi Arabia’s Vision
- Saudi Vision 2030
- These road maps prioritise:
- Port development
- Sustainable marine logistics.
- Private sector engagement
- Technology-enabled maritime governance
Why the Maritime Collaboration Matters
Historic and Economic Bonds
India and Saudi Arabia have centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties that have grown into a strategic alliance. Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest commercial partner, while India is the Kingdom’s second-largest. The new marine alliance aims to expand trade channels, decrease logistics costs, and create investment opportunities.
Current Bilateral Trade
India-Saudi trade volume (FY 2024-25): around USD 42 billion.
Factors Behind the Joint Working Group Formation
- A Joint Working Group (JWG) enhances India-Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Partnership Council by focusing on marine cooperation.
- Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 42 billion in FY 2024-25, making Saudi Arabia India’s fifth-largest trade partner.
- The strategic frameworks, such as India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Saudi Vision 2030, align long-term visions for collaboration in logistics, sustainability, and infrastructure.
- New shipping routes are being established for better transit times and cost efficiency, supported by India’s MAITRI digital platform for maritime trading.
- India seeks Saudi investments in port infrastructure and green maritime development through a Maritime Development Fund of around USD 3 billion. Key projects include Vadhavan Port and the Outer Harbour at VO Chidambaranar Port.
Conclusion
The creation of India and Saudi Arabia’s Joint Working Group on Maritime Cooperation represents a vital convergence of geopolitical strategy, economic opportunity, and infrastructure innovation. It builds on complementary national visions—India’s push for maritime modernization and Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification—to improve connectivity, trade, and sustainability.
समुद्री सहयोग पर भारत और सऊदी अरब के संयुक्त कार्य समूह का गठन भू-राजनीतिक रणनीति, आर्थिक अवसर और बुनियादी ढाँचे के नवाचार के एक महत्वपूर्ण अभिसरण का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है। यह संपर्क, व्यापार और स्थिरता में सुधार के लिए पूरक राष्ट्रीय दृष्टिकोणों—भारत के समुद्री आधुनिकीकरण के प्रयास और सऊदी अरब के आर्थिक विविधीकरण—पर आधारित है।
FAQ’s
What is the purpose of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Working Group on Maritime Cooperation?
It aims to strengthen collaboration in shipping and logistics, promote investments in ports, and enhance trade connectivity between the two countries.
How will the new maritime routes benefit trade?
They will reduce transit times, cut trade costs, and improve connectivity between Indian and Saudi ports like Jeddah, Mundra, and Nhava Sheva.
How does this cooperation align with both nations’ visions?
It supports India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on sustainable ports, digital logistics, and private sector participation.