Kathmandu: Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a landmark agreement to construct a high-speed rail line connecting their capitals, Riyadh and Doha, marking another significant step in the rapidly improving diplomatic ties between the two Gulf nations.

High-Speed Rail to Cut Travel Time to Two Hours
According to Saudi state media, the planned electric high-speed passenger railway will link Riyadh and Doha, with extensions to the Saudi cities of Al-Hofuf and Dammam.

The train will operate at speeds exceeding 300 km/h, reducing the current journey between the two capitals to around two hours—slightly longer than the present 90-minute direct flight.

The project is expected to take six years to complete and aims to serve 10 million passengers annually. The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Symbol of Strengthening Gulf Relations
The new rail project reflects the dramatic improvement in ties between Saudi Arabia and Qatar after a period of heightened tensions.

In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and transportation links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting hardline Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and strengthening relations with Iran.

Diplomatic relations were fully restored following the Al-Ula Summit in January 2021. Ties continued to improve after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Doha in December 2021. Since then, leaders from both countries have met frequently and collaborated on regional diplomatic initiatives, including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia has also expressed support for Qatar following criticism and attacks from Israel earlier this year.