India, Saudi Arabia Review Electrical Interconnection Progress in Virtual Talks

India's Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal and Saudi Assistant Minister of Energy Nasser Al-Qahtani reviewed progress on the proposed India–Saudi Arabia electrical interconnection in a virtual meeting, according to a statement from India's Power Ministry. The two officials also discussed wider cooperation in the power sector.

PSU Watch reported that the meeting took place on Monday. It identified Agarwal as Secretary in the Ministry of Power and Al-Qahtani as Assistant Minister of Energy for Electricity Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to PSU Watch, both sides exchanged views on the way forward and stressed the need for continued engagement to advance the initiative.

Lokmat Times, carrying a report by PTI, said the Power Ministry statement described a video conference in which the two officials discussed the project's progress. Sarkaritel, which datelined its report New Delhi, Oct 20, wrote that India and Saudi Arabia had agreed to take forward discussions on the initiative. The other outlets did not use that wording.

The Saudi side expressed interest in cooperation on extra-high-voltage (EHV) transmission systems, according to PSU Watch. It also named the technical and operational challenges of a growing share of renewable energy in the grid, and the rising electricity needs of data centres. The Hindu BusinessLine and Lokmat Times listed the same areas, along with updating grid codes to meet changing power-system requirements.

The Hindu BusinessLine reported that the two sides also explored opportunities in other areas of mutual interest in the power sector, with an emphasis on technical collaboration, knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices. PSU Watch and Sarkaritel said both sides expressed their commitment to continued dialogue to strengthen the partnership in the power sector.

Sarkaritel added economic figures, which it said were provided to it. It put bilateral trade at US$41.07 billion in FY 2025-26, made up of Indian exports of US$10.28 billion and imports of US$30.79 billion. It said Saudi investments in India, including those linked to the Public Investment Fund and other Saudi entities, were estimated at around US$10 billion. Indian investment in Saudi Arabia was reported at approximately US$3 billion as of August 2023, and more than 6,000 Indian companies are registered in the Kingdom, according to Sarkaritel.

The Hindu BusinessLine also reported on security-related advisories issued by the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. The embassy advised Indian nationals to take due precautions and, in the event of an aerial attack, to go to the nearest safe place inside a building or an interior room away from windows. It also told them not to film, publish or share information, photos or videos related to the ongoing events, the outlet said.

According to The Hindu BusinessLine, flight operations remain suspended at Riyadh's international airport, while Dammam, Jeddah and Medina airports remain operational despite disruptions. It reported that Air India, Air India Express and Indigo have suspended flights to and from Saudi Arabia on all routes until Oct 24, and Akasa Air until Oct 27. The embassy told nationals needing urgent departure that they may consider transiting through Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar, subject to securing the requisite visas, the outlet added.