Riyadh (TDI): Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Monday took a significant step ahead in regional connectivity by signing an settlement to construct a high-speed railway linking their capitals, a transparent signal of how far relations have improved between the 2 neighbours lately.
A press release launched by Saudi authorities mentioned the deliberate electrical passenger rail line will run between Riyadh and Doha, with stops anticipated in Al-Hofuf and Dammam. Trains on the route are designed to exceed 300 kilometres per hour, probably lowering the journey between the 2 capitals to about two hours. By comparability, a direct flight takes roughly an hour and a half.
The undertaking, which can span six years of development, is projected to deal with 10 million travellers yearly, underscoring its position as a significant transport hyperlink for the Gulf area.
The settlement was formalised through the go to of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. It provides to a string of latest initiatives that spotlight the renewed heat in bilateral relations.
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Ties between Qatar and a bloc consisting of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt hit a extreme low in June 2017, when the 4 nations severed diplomatic and transport hyperlinks with Doha. The rift was formally resolved in January 2021, following a summit within the Saudi metropolis of AlUla.
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Since then, high-level engagements have turn out to be routine. Prince Mohammed travelled to Doha in late 2021 throughout a regional tour, and the leaderships of each international locations have collectively backed a number of diplomatic efforts, together with requires a ceasefire in Gaza. Saudi Arabia additionally voiced agency help for Qatar after Israeli strikes on Doha through the summer season.
