Blow to Pakistan as Saudi backs India on Jammu & Kashmir

Days after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Saudi Arabia, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman on Wednesday and explained New Delhi's stand on Kashmir. The one-on-one meeting between Doval and the Saudi Crown Prince lasted for about two hours. During the meeting with Doval, Saudi Crown Prince Salman expressed his understanding of India's approach and actions in Jammu and Kashmir. The stand taken by Saudia Arabia is a major blow for Pakistan because Islamabad sees Riyadh as one of its major supporters.

During the meeting, a host of issues touching various aspects of the bilateral ties were discussed. The visit will further strengthen the deep bonds between the two countries and help identify specific areas of cooperation at a time when Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its economy in line with MBS' vision 2030.

This important visit highlights the regular and ongoing close consultations at the highest levels between the two sides on issues of mutual importance. Doval also had a meeting with the Saudi NSA, Musaid Al Aiban, who chairs the Council of Political and Security Affairs of Saudi Arabia. He is also Chairman of the National Cyber Security Authority. They discussed issues of national and regional security.

Both sides highlighted the importance of close security ties. The NSA is also expected to interact with the top leaders of the UAE.

NSA Doval's Saudi Arabia visit assumes significance not only because he is the highest-ranking emissary of PM Narendra Modi but also since he himself personally spearheaded the normalisation process in Kashmir after Parliament voted to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution.

Interestingly, both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have played a neutral role, despite a statement by the Kashmir Contact Group of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.