Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a formal agreement to construct a high-speed rail connecting their capitals, marking the first project of its kind between the two Gulf states that were once deeply at odds.
The “high-speed electric passenger railway,” according to official Saudi media, will link Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport, with Saudi cities Al-Hofuf and Dammam also expected to be included on the network. The train is planned to reach speeds exceeding 300 km/h (186 mph), making the journey between the two capitals roughly two hours, compared with around 90 minutes by direct flight, and it is set to be completed in six years, aiming to serve 10 million passengers annually while creating 30,000 jobs across both countries.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the latter’s visit to Riyadh, highlighting a major step in the rapid improvement of ties between the two nations since the 2017 diplomatic rift. Relations were fully restored in January 2021 and since then, leaders from both kingdoms have collaborated on regional diplomatic initiatives, including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, reflecting a broader trend of rapprochement.
The project also comes amid wider security and political developments, such as Saudi support for Qatar after an Israeli attack on a Qatari government complex in September, which targeted Hamas leaders and resulted in multiple casualties. This rail initiative underscores not only the economic ambitions of the Gulf states but also their intent to strengthen strategic cooperation and regional stability.
Needless to say, connecting key cities and airports, the high-speed line is expected to enhance trade, tourism, and mobility while signaling a new era of collaboration between Riyadh and Doha. Overall, the agreement represents a tangible milestone in Gulf diplomacy, combining infrastructure development with strengthened bilateral relations and shared regional interests.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left, receives Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit in Doha on September 15, 2025
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