NK MONITORING DESK
WASHINGTON: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington on Tuesday resulted in a series of major defence and energy agreements, including a landmark US commitment to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and a new framework for long-term civil nuclear cooperation.
According to the White House, both sides endorsed a joint declaration that lays out the legal groundwork for an expansive nuclear energy partnership expected to span decades. The arrangement is said to incorporate strong nonproliferation safeguards while opening the door to large-scale investment in the sector.
President Donald Trump also granted approval for a substantial defence package featuring future deliveries of the advanced F-35 stealth aircraft—an acquisition Riyadh has long sought. Saudi Arabia has formally requested 48 jets, and if finalized, the deal would represent Washington’s first sale of the aircraft to the kingdom. Such a step would mark a significant shift in regional military dynamics, as Israel has so far been the only Middle Eastern country operating the F-35.
The crown prince has pushed for access to US nuclear technology as part of Riyadh’s ambition to match the nuclear capabilities pursued by Iran and the UAE. However, talks have been slowed by Saudi reluctance to accept US conditions barring uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent fuel—activities that carry weapons-proliferation risks. Trump acknowledged that a civilian nuclear agreement was “possible,” though “not urgent.”
The White House rolled out an unusually grand welcome for the Saudi leader, complete with a horseback honor guard and an F-35 flyover. Trump repeatedly praised the crown prince, even lauding what he described as MBS’s “incredible” record on human rights.
During an evening black-tie dinner, Trump announced that the United States would designate Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally, a status held by fewer than 20 countries. He said the decision reflected a desire to elevate bilateral defence cooperation to “even greater heights.”
The visit also featured significant economic announcements. Prince Mohammed told Trump that Saudi Arabia would raise its planned investment in the United States from the previously pledged $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion. The remark drew visible delight from the US president, who asked the prince to confirm the figure before the two shared a brief laugh.
The high-profile reception—rare for a visiting crown prince rather than a head of state—included a tour of new presidential portraits near the Rose Garden, one of which humorously depicted former President Joe Biden as an autopen.
Read more: https://nayakashmir.com/unsc-approves-us-backed-plan-for-international-stabilisation-mission-in-gaza/
