Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). Established in 2019, the SPC has two main pillars: one focusing on political, security, social, and cultural cooperation, and the other on the economy and investments. The council operates through summit-level meetings, ministerial discussions, senior officials’ meetings, and joint working groups. During the recent meeting, both nations pledged to expedite the 50-billion West Coast refinery project, a collaboration between ARAMCO, ADNOC, and Indian companies, aiming to establish Asia’s largest refinery in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Areas of enhanced cooperation include energy, defense, semiconductor, and space.</p> <h4>Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims</h4> <ul> <li><strong>Strategic Partnership Council (SPC):</strong> An entity established in 2019 to strengthen relations between India and Saudi Arabia, consisting of two key committees focusing on various aspects of cooperation.</li> <li><strong>Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation:</strong> One of the two pillars of the SPC, responsible for promoting cooperation in political, security, social, and cultural areas.</li> <li><strong>Committee on Economy and Investments: </strong>The second pillar of the SPC, dedicated to enhancing economic and investment ties between India and Saudi Arabia.</li> <li><strong>West Coast Refinery Project: </strong>A50-billion project aimed at constructing Asia’s largest refinery in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, a collaboration involving ARAMCO, ADNOC, and Indian companies.
Strategic Partnership Council
