Riyadh (TDI): Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Monday took a major step forward in regional connectivity by signing an agreement to build a high-speed railway linking their capitals, a clear sign of how far relations have improved between the two neighbours in recent years.
A statement released by Saudi authorities said the planned electric passenger rail line will run between Riyadh and Doha, with stops expected in Al-Hofuf and Dammam. Trains on the route are designed to exceed 300 kilometres per hour, potentially reducing the journey between the two capitals to about two hours. By comparison, a direct flight takes roughly an hour and a half.
The project, which will span six years of construction, is projected to handle 10 million travellers annually, underscoring its role as a major transport link for the Gulf region.
The agreement was formalised during the visit of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. It adds to a string of recent initiatives that highlight the renewed warmth in bilateral relations.
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Ties between Qatar and a bloc consisting of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt hit a severe low in June 2017, when the four nations severed diplomatic and transport links with Doha. The rift was officially resolved in January 2021, following a summit in the Saudi city of AlUla.
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Since then, high-level engagements have become routine. Prince Mohammed travelled to Doha in late 2021 during a regional tour, and the leaderships of both countries have jointly backed several diplomatic efforts, including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Saudi Arabia also voiced firm support for Qatar after Israeli strikes on Doha during the summer.
