Riyadh and Ottawa widen defence dialogue

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Canada hosted Defence Minister David J. McGuinty in Ottawa, underscoring a continuing effort by both governments to deepen diplomatic, security and economic engagement after years of strain in the relationship.
Ambassador Amal Almoalimi received McGuinty at her official residence on May 22, where the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the strength of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Canada. The dinner came at a sensitive moment for defence diplomacy, with Ottawa seeking broader security partnerships and Riyadh expanding its international engagement under Vision 2030.

The meeting followed a sequence of high-level contacts between the two countries. Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud met Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Riyadh on March 30, with both sides highlighting more than 50 years of diplomatic relations and signalling interest in wider cooperation across trade, investment, space, artificial intelligence, mining, tourism, education and pharmaceuticals.

Defence engagement has taken on added significance as regional security pressures intensify across the Gulf. Canada’s defence minister travelled this month to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where discussions covered maritime security, cyber cooperation, industrial collaboration and stability around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. Ottawa has indicated readiness to support partner efforts in areas such as maritime logistics, demining, space capabilities and intelligence cooperation.

For Saudi Arabia, engagement with Canada forms part of a broader strategy to widen strategic partnerships beyond traditional security alignments while building economic and technological links with G7 economies. Riyadh’s diplomatic outreach has increasingly combined security dialogue with investment, education and industrial cooperation, reflecting the kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and expand its role in regional and international affairs.

Canada’s approach is also shifting. Ottawa is under pressure to raise defence spending, modernise its military capacity and strengthen partnerships beyond its traditional North American framework. The Canadian government has committed tens of billions of dollars over two decades to continental defence and Arctic security, while also seeking deeper ties with Gulf partners in defence industry, energy security and trade.

Bilateral trade remains a central pillar of the relationship. Merchandise trade between Canada and Saudi Arabia reached about C$4.1 billion in 2024, with exports from Canada valued at about C$2 billion and imports from Saudi Arabia at about C$2.1 billion. Defence products, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, pharmaceuticals, and industrial machinery feature among the main Canadian exports, while energy products account for the overwhelming share of imports from the kingdom.

The relationship has recovered steadily since full diplomatic ties were restored in May 2023 after a five-year rupture triggered by a dispute over human rights advocacy. The 2018 breakdown led Riyadh to expel Canada’s ambassador, suspend new trade and investment dealings, and withdraw Saudi students from Canadian institutions. The decision to restore ties was based on mutual respect and common interests, opening the way for ambassadors to return and official channels to resume.

Despite the renewed momentum, the relationship continues to carry sensitivities. Arms exports to Saudi Arabia have faced scrutiny from rights groups and lawmakers in Canada, particularly over the use of military equipment and the kingdom’s human rights record. Ottawa has defended its export control process while maintaining that engagement gives it a channel to raise difficult issues. Riyadh, for its part, has rejected external interference in domestic affairs and has emphasised sovereignty in its diplomatic posture.

Economic diplomacy has helped soften earlier tensions. Around 150 Canadian firms maintain a long-term presence in Saudi Arabia, supported by opportunities linked to Vision 2030 projects in infrastructure, mining, clean technology, agriculture, tourism and artificial intelligence. The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, valued at more than $1 trillion, remains a major driver of large-scale projects and foreign investment partnerships.