India Arab Growing Research Collaboration

Feb. 3, 2026 | By David Watkins

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A new era of strategic partnership is dawning between India and the Arab world, extending beyond traditional trade and diplomacy into the vital realms of knowledge, research, and innovation. Our in-depth analysis of scholarly output reveals a significant and sustained surge in academic collaboration, with joint research publications between Indian and Arab universities demonstrating remarkable growth in both volume and, crucially, impact.

This burgeoning relationship is not merely a matter of statistics; it is about the synergistic power of combining diverse intellectual capital to address global challenges. The fruits of this collaboration are evident in the high-impact research being produced, which is proving to be significantly more influential than non-collaborative work. This academic bridge-building is a cornerstone of the deepening strategic partnerships between India and key Arab nations, reflecting a shared vision for a future built on a knowledge-based economy.

A Decade of Accelerating Growth

The data on joint research paints a clear picture of a partnership hitting its stride. Over the last ten years, the percentage of research papers co-authored by Indian and Arab institutions has seen a steady and impressive increase across all major academic domains. This growth is not uniform, however, with certain fields showing a particularly rapid acceleration in collaborative activity.

As the time-series chart illustrates, the collaboration has intensified across the board since 2019. While disciplines like Health Sciences and Life Sciences have consistently been strong areas for partnership, the fields of Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Business and Economics have emerged as the frontrunners in recent years, showcasing a particularly steep upward trajectory. This trend points to a strategic alignment of research priorities, focusing on areas critical for technological advancement and sustainable economic development. The shared focus on engineering and physical sciences, for example, aligns with national initiatives in both regions to diversify their economies and invest in technological infrastructure.

The Power of Partnership: A 1.7x Research Impact Multiplier

Perhaps the most compelling finding from the analysis is the profound impact of this collaboration on the quality and influence of the research produced. Papers co-authored by researchers from both regions have a Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) 1.7 times higher than those produced by researchers from either region generally.

For context, an FWCI of 1.0 represents the world average citation rate for a given subject area. An FWCI of 1.7 signifies that these collaborative papers are, on average, being cited 1.7 times more often than the global average. This remarkable "impact uplift" is a powerful testament to the complementary strengths, diverse perspectives, and shared resources that researchers from India and the Arab world bring to their joint projects. It demonstrates that when these intellectual communities come together, the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

This extraordinary impact is further defined by its impressive global reach. 70% of the citations garnered by India-Arab collaborative research originate from institutions outside both regions. This statistic is a powerful indicator that the partnership is transcending regional boundaries to address universal scientific questions. It confirms that the work being produced is not only of high quality but possesses a relevance that resonates with the wider international academic community. Far from being insular, the India-Arab alliance is proving itself to be a vital contributor to the global knowledge economy, drawing validation and engagement from researchers across the world.

Celebrating the Champions of Collaboration

At the heart of this success story are the institutions that are actively building bridges and fostering these partnerships. The analysis identifies a clear leader in this cross-regional synergy: the prolific partnership between Saveetha University in India and King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. This pair of institutions has produced by far the highest number of joint research publications, setting a powerful benchmark for what can be achieved.

Saveetha University, a dynamic and research-intensive institution in India, has a well-established track record of impactful international collaboration. Its partnerships span the globe, but its focused and highly productive engagement with King Saud University has been particularly fruitful in generating high-quality research.

King Saud University, a leading public university in Saudi Arabia, is a powerhouse of research and innovation in the Arab world. Its commitment to internationalisation is a core part of its strategy to become a globally recognised research hub, and its collaboration with Saveetha University is a shining example of this vision being realised.

Beyond this leading pair, the analysis highlights a number of other key institutional partnerships that are driving the collaborative trend, including strong ties between Aligarh Muslim University and King Saud University, as well as O. P. Jindal Global University and Global University, albeit the latter pairs citation numbers are low. The prominent role of King Saud University in these top pairings underscores its central position as a key partner for Indian institutions.

The Broader Landscape: A Shared Strategic Vision

This surge in academic collaboration is not happening in a vacuum. It is a direct result of a concerted, top-down effort by governments and institutions in both India and the Arab region to foster closer, more strategic ties. High-level dialogues, such as the India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and a host of bilateral agreements are laying the institutional groundwork for even deeper cooperation in science, technology, and education.

The establishment of an IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi is a landmark initiative, signalling a new level of commitment to educational exchange. This is complemented by numerous student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research funding initiatives, and a shared interest in developing "startup bridges" to foster innovation. These efforts are embedded in grander national strategies, such as Saudi Arabia's 'Vision 2030' and India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), both of which prioritise the development of a robust knowledge economy.

The Future is Collaborative

The analysis of academic collaboration between India and the Arab world paints a picture of a dynamic and rapidly maturing partnership. The impressive growth in joint publications, the strategic alignment in key research domains, and the extraordinary impact of this research all underscore the immense potential of this relationship.

As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, from climate change and public health to energy security and digital transformation, the collaborative spirit of institutions like Saveetha University and King Saud University will be more crucial than ever. The future of cutting-edge research and transformative innovation is collaborative, and the India-Arab academic partnership is poised to be a major and influential force in shaping that future.

Data

The data is sourced from Open Alex snapshot from 01/11/2025.
It utilises articles, reviews, book, and book chapters from 2016-2025.
For information on why we use Open Alex, see https://measureshe.com/articles/powering-the-next-generation-of-research-intelligence/

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Tags: Academic Arab Collaboration Economy Education FWCI Higher India Innovation Knowledge Partnerships Research

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