India, Saudis begin first naval drill as Middle East lobbies for Afghan peace
INS Kochi, the flagship stealth guided-missile destroyer of India's western naval fleet, arrived at Port Al-Jubail after completing Exercise 'Zayed Talwar' with the United Arab Emirates off the coast of Abu Dhabi last weekend.
FollowThe Middle East has become the hub of diplomatic activity over the last few days. Even as Qatar hosts meetings to review and revive the stalled Afghan peace process amid a Taliban onslaught, India has been reinforcing its military ties with Saudi Arabia.Â
INS Kochi, the flagship stealth guided-missile destroyer of India's western naval fleet, arrived at Port Al-Jubail after completing Exercise 'Zayed Talwar' with the United Arab Emirates off the coast of Abu Dhabi last weekend.
The Al-Mohed Al-Hindi exercise between India and Saudi Arabia began with the harbour phase on Monday. Flag Officer Commanding of the Western Fleet Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar met his counterpart in Royal Saudi Navy's Eastern Fleet, Rear Adm Majid Al Qahtani at the King Abdul Aziz Naval Base.
The King Abdul Aziz Naval Base at Al Jubail is the headquarters of the Saudi Eastern Fleet.Â
Admiral Kochhar also met the governor of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, Saud bin Nayef Al Saud at Dammam.
The Indian embassy noted that the exercise will usher in a new chapter in the bilateral defence ties.Â
The next phase of Al-Mohed Al-Hindi will include comprises a number of shores and sea-based drills between the two navies.
Last week, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria was in UAE.
Before Qatar assumed the responsibility, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had in the past been instrumental in getting the Taliban to the negotiating table. In fact, to recall, Saudi Arabia and UAE were the only countries to recognise the Taliban political dispensation in 1997.
