ABU DHABI — India and Saudi Arabia have conducted a rare naval exercise at a time when China is exerting more influence on the sealanes throughout the Indian Ocean region.   

The contribution by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces to the exercise was not reported. Over the last three years, Saudi Arabia has been quietly expanding military cooperation with India, a longtime rival of Pakistan. Islamabad has been regarded as the closest strategic ally of Riyad.

During the Indian visit, Cheema met his Saudi counterpart, Rear Adm. Abdullah Al Sultan. No details were reported.

"Defense cooperation has been mutually identified as a prominent avenue for promoting bilateral ties," Cheema said. "Both nations have been increasingly interacting with each other's armed forces over the last few years."

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces has been a participant in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, a security initiative launched in 2006. In July 2008, the Saudi Navy conducted its first visit to India when the HMS Dammam and the HMS Yanbu docked in Mumbai.

India has sought to expand defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia as well as other Gulf Cooperation Council states. Officials said New Dehli has offered to maintain and upgrade GCC fleets.

"The visiting ships are testimony to these [Indian naval] capabilities," Cheema said.  

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