India and Saudi Arabia have taken stock of a long-discussed plan to connect their electricity grids. India’s Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal held a virtual meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister for Electricity Affairs, Eng. Nasser Al-Qahtani, to review progress on the India–Saudi Arabia Electrical Interconnection initiative, the Press Information Bureau said on 19 October 2026.
Both sides agreed that the project has significant potential and that continued dialogue is needed to move it forward. No timeline, capacity or cost was announced.
Key facts
- Meeting: virtual, between India’s Ministry of Power and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy
- Main agenda: progress on the proposed India–Saudi electrical interconnection
- Saudi interests: extra-high-voltage transmission, integrating more renewable energy, power for new data centres, and updated grid codes
- Both sides committed to technical cooperation and sharing best practices
- Builds on an October 2023 MoU on electrical interconnections and green hydrogen
What was discussed
Beyond the interconnection itself, the Saudi side highlighted four technical areas where it wants to learn from India’s experience: building extra-high-voltage (EHV) transmission lines; handling the technical and operational challenges of adding large amounts of solar and wind power to the grid; planning electricity supply for fast-growing data centres; and revising grid codes as the power system changes. India has faced each of these challenges at scale in recent years, which makes it a natural partner.
Background: from oil buyer to energy partner
Saudi Arabia has long been one of India’s main crude oil suppliers. In October 2023 the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding covering electrical interconnections, green and clean hydrogen, and supply chains, signalling a shift towards cooperation in cleaner energy. The latest review shows the idea is still alive, though it remains at the discussion stage. Linking grids across the Arabian Sea would be a complex engineering task, and any final decision would need detailed studies on route, cost and security.
Why it matters for Indian Muslims and the Gulf diaspora
More than two million Indians live and work in Saudi Arabia, and lakhs more travel every year for Umrah and Hajj. Closer economic ties usually bring more business, more jobs for Indian engineers and technicians, and smoother cooperation on issues that directly affect pilgrims and workers. The meeting also comes at a tense time in the Gulf; our readers can follow the Indian Embassy’s latest advisory for Indians in Saudi Arabia and the GCC ministers’ statement of support for Saudi Arabia. Prospective pilgrims can also check our guide to Hajj 2027 registration in India.
What happens next
The two ministries said they would keep up a “constructive dialogue” on the power-sector partnership. Watch for technical studies or a joint working-group announcement as the next concrete step. Official updates are published by India’s Ministry of Power.
FAQ
Has India agreed to build an undersea power cable to Saudi Arabia?
No. The meeting reviewed progress on the idea; no construction decision, route or budget has been announced.
When did this cooperation start?
The two countries signed an MoU on electrical interconnections and green hydrogen in October 2023.
Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Power — India and Saudi Arabia discuss bilateral power interconnection initiative; Outlook Business — India, Saudi Arabia tie up for electrical interconnections, green hydrogen
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