Saudi Arabia and Qatar Forge High-Speed Rail Agreement

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a historic move, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have formalized a pact to establish a high-speed rail link between Riyadh and Doha, marking the first such initiative between the two nations. This railway will connect Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport, also extending services to Saudi cities, including Al-Hofuf and Dammam.

Boasting speeds exceeding 300km/h (186mph), this new train system will reduce travel time between the capitals to roughly two hours, instead of the 90 minutes required by air. With an anticipated completion timeline of six years, the project aims to cater to 10 million passengers annually and generate approximately 30,000 jobs across both countries.

The agreement was inked by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) alongside Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the Emir’s visit to Riyadh. This undertaking is viewed as a significant infrastructure achievement and a testament to the rekindled collaboration between the two nations following a period of diplomatic strain.

The relationship had soured in June 2017 when Saudi Arabia, along with the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, severed ties with Qatar over accusations of supporting groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and maintaining ties with Iran—allegations Qatar has denied. Diplomatic relations were restored in January 2021 during a summit in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

Since the thaw, both nations’ leaders have engaged in frequent discussions and collaborated on regional issues, including advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. This high-speed rail agreement further underscores the strengthening relations and future connectivity prospects in the Gulf region.