New Delhi/Riyadh: India highlighted its growing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities at the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Raksha Rajya Mantri (RRM) Sanjay Seth leading a high-level Indian delegation to the event on February 8–9.
Seth inaugurated the first-ever India Pavilion at WDS 2026, showcasing the manufacturing strengths and technological advancements of Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private defence companies. He also joined international dignitaries at 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, to review their latest indigenous defence technologies.
On the sidelines of the event, the RRM held a series of high-level bilateral meetings to strengthen India–Saudi Arabia defence cooperation. He met Dr Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari, Assistant Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs, Saudi Arabia, to discuss enhanced engagement and cooperation across the armed forces of both nations. In a meeting with Dr Faleh bin Abdullah Al-Sulaiman, Governor of the General Authority for Defence Development (GADD), Seth underlined India’s emergence as a global defence manufacturing and export hub and invited GADD officials to visit India’s research and development facilities to explore co-development opportunities.
The RRM also held discussions with Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI), focusing on strategic cooperation and strengthening the defence supply chain ecosystems of both countries. He proposed a visit by a joint GAMI-led delegation to India to gain first-hand exposure to India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
Addressing heads of Indian and Saudi defence companies at an interaction organised at the Indian Embassy, Seth emphasised the importance of joint cooperation to achieve self-reliance in defence requirements. He reiterated India’s commitment to global defence partnerships under the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
During his visit, the RRM also toured Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the Saudi state. He later addressed the Indian diaspora at an event held at the Indian Embassy, highlighting India’s socio-economic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi across sectors such as women’s empowerment, healthcare and digital literacy. Seth advocated a ‘Nation First’ approach and appreciated the efforts of embassy officials in supporting the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
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