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(from left) Gov. Eric Holcomb, Saudi Arabia Chief of Defense Fayyadh al-Ruwaili, and Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles (photo courtesy of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office)

The Indiana National Guard and Saudi Arabia have entered into a partnership under a Defense Department program that promotes military collaboration and builds economic and cultural ties between states and foreign countries.

The agreement under the State Partnership Program was announced Monday by the Indiana National Guard and Gov. Eric Holcomb’s office. The program pairs states and foreign nations to enhance relationships and promote defense and security objectives shared by the U.S. and its partners.

“This state partnership is a vital part to fostering strategic relationships between the U.S. and our counterparts in the Middle East.” Holcomb said in a news release. “I’m pleased to be on the ground in Saudi Arabia to personally convey our support of this partnership and know this commitment will advance relations across other key areas of shared interest.”

Indiana and Saudi Arabia exchanged $418 million worth of goods in 2023 and share a number of industry ties, the governor’s office said. Indiana hosts three Saudi Arabia-owned businesses, including Gas Equipment Co. and SABIC Innovative Plastics, while Saudi Arabia is home to operations of three Hoosier corporations.

The State Partnership Program evolved from a 1991 U.S. European Command to partner Reserve soldiers and airmen with U.S. partners in the Baltic region, according to a National Guard website outlining the program. The program now includes more than 100 partnerships with more than 100 nations.

The partnership announced Monday also included the Oklahoma National Guard.

“We are proud, honored and excited to join forces with Oklahoma and Saudi Arabia as we forge this new partnership and the opportunity to work alongside our neighbors to the south and overseas in the Middle East,” Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles, Indiana National Guard adjutant general, said in the release. “Hoosier Guardsmen are dedicated, determined and look forward to strengthening our relationships with our Saudi Arabian partners.”

Lyles and Holcomb met with a Saudi defense minister during an overseas trip this week by the governor. He and his delegation have a host of meetings scheduled, including a visit with the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia to discuss cultural and economic opportunities and a visit to the Riyadh facility of medical device maker Zimmer Biomet, which is based in Warsaw, Indiana.

The governor also planned to make stops in Kuwait to meet with government and business leaders.

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