India and Saudi Arabia are pursuing a cross-country initiative carried by the tide of a new era of energy diplomacy, and the Gujarat coast may soon be linked to the Middle East with deep sea cables.
Both parties are likely to start talks on an undersea cable for an electrical grid involving South Asia and Gulf nations, expanding the conversation beyond oil exports. The two countries are investigating the project’s business potential.
The Abu Dhabi government might also join the ambitious project with the capital cost between $15 billion to $18 billion, according to preliminary industry estimates.
Leading corporations like the Tata Group, Reliance Industries Ltd., JSW, and Adani, among others, have already received invitations from the Saudi envoy to India asking for their opinions. The crown prince will visit India first before travelling to Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan.
The Arabian Sea separates the Gujarat coast (Mundra Port) from the emirate of Fujairah, 1,600 kilometers. The cable might possibly travel 1,200 km through Oman, with the deepest point at 3.5 km.