As India expands strategic ties with Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Tuesday held extensive talks with Commander of Royal Saudi Land Forces, Lt Gen Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair, with a focus on expanding bilateral defence and military ties, the Indian Army said. Lt Gen Al-Mutair was also accorded a guard of honour at the South Block lawns before the talks.

"Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Mohammed Al-Mutair, Commander, Royal Saudi Land Forces, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on General MM Naravane #COAS & discussed ways to further enhance the bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries," the Indian Army tweeted.

Defence and security ties between India and Saudi Arabia have been on an upswing in the last few years.  The two countries had decided to set up a Strategic Partnership Council during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Riyadh on October 28-29, 2019.

Gen Naravane visited Saudi Arabia in December 2020 in the first-ever visit by the head of the 1.3 million-strong Indian Army to the strategically important Gulf nation.

(SAM)