Post by : Maya Rahman

A significant agreement has been reached between Saudi Arabia and Qatar to establish a high-speed railway that will connect Riyadh and Doha. This groundbreaking project marks the first rail link of its kind between these two Gulf states. The rail system is set to connect Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport while also serving key Saudi cities such as Al-Hofuf and Dammam.

The train will operate at speeds exceeding 300km/h (186mph), allowing for a travel time of approximately two hours between the capitals, in contrast to a 90-minute flight. The initiative, anticipated to be completed within six years, aims to accommodate around 10 million passengers annually and generate about 30,000 jobs in both countries.

The agreement was made official by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the Emir’s visit to Riyadh. This project is hailed as a crucial infrastructure development and a symbol of the enhanced cooperation between the two nations following years of diplomatic tension.

The diplomatic rift began in June 2017 when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt severed ties with Qatar over allegations of supporting groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and maintaining relations with Iran—claims Qatar has denied. Relations were normalized in January 2021 during a summit in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

Since the reconciliation, the leaders of both countries have frequently convened and collaborated on regional issues, such as advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. The high-speed rail agreement further underscores the strengthening ties and long-term connectivity goals in the Gulf region.

#Global News #Business News #Gulf News #World News