India put its growing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities on display at the World Defence Show 2026 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, underscoring its emergence as a key global defence partner. The high-level Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Seth, Raksha Rajya Mantri (RRM), during his visit on February 8–9.
India Pavilion Makes Debut
In a significant milestone, Seth inaugurated the first-ever India Pavilion at the exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing strengths of Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private defence companies. The pavilion reflected India’s progress in indigenous defence production under the “Make in India, Make for the World” vision.
Seth also attended the opening ceremony of the global defence exhibition and visited the exhibition areas of Saudi Arabia Military Industries (SAMI) and the Ministry of Defence Saudi Arabia, where he reviewed the latest indigenous defence technologies showcased by Saudi Arabia.
Boosting India–Saudi Arabia Defence Ties
On the sidelines of the event, Seth held a series of high-level bilateral meetings to deepen defence cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. He met Dr Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari, Assistant Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs, to discuss enhanced engagement across the armed forces.
In discussions with Dr Faleh bin Abdullah Al-Sulaiman, Governor of the General Authority for Defence Development (GADD), opportunities for co-development in defence technologies were explored. Seth extended an invitation for a visit to India’s research and development facilities.
He also met Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI), where discussions centred on strengthening strategic cooperation and defence supply chain ecosystems. A proposal was made for a joint GAMI-led delegation to visit India.
Promoting Global Defence Partnerships
At an interaction hosted at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Seth addressed leaders from Indian and Saudi defence companies. He emphasised collaborative manufacturing, joint ventures, and technology partnerships as key pillars for achieving self-reliance in defence production. He reiterated that India is positioning itself as a reliable global defence manufacturing and export hub.
Cultural and Community Engagement
During his visit, Seth toured Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the Saudi state. He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, highlighting India’s socio-economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including strides in women’s empowerment, healthcare, and digital literacy. He commended embassy officials for their continued support to the Indian community abroad.
The World Defence Show 2026 provided India with a prominent international platform to demonstrate its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities while strengthening bilateral defence ties with Saudi Arabia, reflecting the country’s growing stature as a trusted defence partner and technology exporter.
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