143approach of humanism and tolerance and conviction that faith should
unite rather than divide can be a positive factor in international relations.”
Would Pundit Nehru use a similar expression in underlining the shared
Indo-Saudi worldview? Not just the leaders of both the countries, even
times have changed since then.
Referring to the MoU on defence cooperation signed in February 2014,
when King Salman was the Crown Prince and Defence Minister, the lead-
ers agreed “to intensify bilateral defence cooperation through the exchange
of visits by military personnel and experts, conduct of joint military exer-
cises, exchange of visits by ships and aircrafts, and supply of arms and
ammunition and their joint development.” This was perhaps more than
any Indian leader had ever committed vis-à-vis an Arab power. Even the
military cooperation with Iraq in the 1970s only witnessed Indian advisers
(Jha 1992 ). Modi’s commitment for joint military exercise should be seen
as a response to the Saudi strategy to dilute its dependence upon the US
for security guarantees. His visit came amidst growing discord between the
al-Sauds and the Obama administration over the Iranian nuclear deal
(McElroy 2013 ) and concerns that Washington has shifted its priorities
from the Arab to Persian power in the Gulf region. However, the reference
to arms supplies and joint production appears to be a long-term option for
India in the light of its desire to manufacture the bulk of its defence
requirements indigenously through the Make in India programme.
Besides cooperation in maritime security, the leaders pledged “to pro-
mote bilateral collaboration for humanitarian assistance and evacuation in
natural disasters and conflict situation.” A year earlier, India evacuated
6688 persons, including 1947 belonging to 48 other countries from con-
flict-ridden Yemen (India, MEA 2015b). Most of them were airlifted from
Sana’a while some were taken by ships from Port of Aden. At that time,
the Arab coalition force led by Saudi Arabia was carrying out aerial bomb-
ing over areas held by the Houthi rebels. Recognizing the need for Saudi
assistance, on 30 March 2015 Prime Minister Modi telephoned King
Salman, briefed his rescue plan, requested and secured Saudi “support and
cooperation in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Yemen” (India,
MEA 2015a).
Regarding the bilateral trade, the leaders committed to increasing it
from the US$39 billion in 2014–15, but this could happen if India suc-
ceeds in getting “Saudi Aramco, SABIC and other Saudi companies in
invest in the infrastructure sector” in the country. Keeping this in mind,
the joint statement explicitly identified “railways, roads, ports and
THE SHIFT