At Riyadh’s World Defence Show, India unveils first pavilion, pitches indigenous military technology, deepens Saudi ties and pushes “Make in India, Make for the World” vision….reports Asian Lite News
India projected its growing defence manufacturing strength on the global stage at the World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh, with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth leading a high-level delegation and inaugurating the country’s first-ever India Pavilion at the event.
Held in the Saudi capital, the World Defence Show brought together leading military manufacturers, government officials and defence strategists from across the world. The Indian Pavilion, unveiled by Seth at the opening ceremony, showcased a wide spectrum of indigenous capabilities from Defence Public Sector Undertakings and private sector firms, underlining New Delhi’s push to position itself as a major defence production and export hub.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the pavilion highlighted advanced platforms, cutting-edge technologies and home-grown systems spanning land, air and naval domains. The display was aimed at reinforcing India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” vision, which seeks not only to reduce import dependence but also to expand defence exports to friendly countries.
During his visit, Seth toured exhibition areas set up by Saudi Arabian Military Industries and the Saudi Ministry of Defence, reviewing their latest indigenous technological developments. The engagements reflected a broader attempt by both sides to deepen defence-industrial cooperation at a time when India is actively expanding partnerships in West Asia.
On February 8 and 9, the minister held talks with Khaled bin Hussein Al-Biyari, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs. The discussions focused on enhancing operational engagement and strengthening cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries. Both sides explored ways to translate political goodwill into practical collaboration in training, technology and defence production.
Seth also met Faleh bin Abdullah Al-Sulaiman, Governor of the General Authority for Defence Development, and emphasised India’s emergence as a reliable and competitive defence exporter. He invited officials from the authority to visit Indian research and development facilities to assess opportunities for joint development of advanced defence technologies.
In separate discussions with Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali, Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, the minister examined avenues for strategic cooperation and for building resilient supply chain linkages between Indian and Saudi defence ecosystems. He proposed that a joint delegation led by the Saudi authority visit India to gain first-hand exposure to its manufacturing base and innovation infrastructure.
Addressing senior representatives of Indian and Saudi defence companies at an event hosted by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Seth stressed that deeper collaboration would help both countries achieve greater self-reliance in meeting their security requirements. He underscored India’s commitment to supporting partner nations through dependable supply chains and cost-effective solutions.
Beyond the exhibition halls, the minister visited Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic birthplace of the Saudi state, symbolising the growing cultural and strategic ties between the two nations. He later interacted with members of the Indian diaspora at the embassy, highlighting India’s economic and technological progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including advances in digital governance, healthcare and women’s empowerment.
