Amid Rising UAE Tensions, India’s NSA Ajit Doval Visits Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has arrived in Saudi Arabia amid growing tensions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the Indian government has shared limited details, sources suggest Doval’s visit could involve discussions on Pakistan-Saudi strategic defense partnerships, Middle East security dynamics, and recent developments regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

According to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Doval was received at the airport by India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ejaz Khan, and Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati. The visit underscores the deepening strategic and security cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia.

Security Cooperation on the Agenda
Doval’s visit comes at a critical time for counterterrorism and security collaboration. On January 28, Saudi Arabia condemned terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, as well as an incident near Delhi’s Red Fort. On the same day, the third meeting of the India-Saudi Security Working Group, under the Strategic Partnership Council, was held in Riyadh.

During this engagement, both countries reviewed ongoing security cooperation and discussed threats from terrorist groups at global and regional levels. Talks focused on combating extremism, curbing terror financing, preventing misuse of technology by terrorist networks, and enhancing collaboration to break links between transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Timing and Significance of the Visit
Doval arrived in Riyadh just five days after Deputy NSA Pawan Kapoor’s visit to Iran. This marks the first visit to Saudi Arabia by a senior Indian official following Saudi Arabia’s recent defense agreement with Pakistan last September. The visit is expected to provide India with updates on developments in the Pakistan-Saudi defense partnership and the Gaza peace plan, reflecting Riyadh’s efforts to brief New Delhi directly on regional security issues.