Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a deal to build a high-speed rail linking their capitals. The train will connect Riyadh and Doha, with stops in Al-Hofuf and Dammam. It will reach speeds over 300 km/h and cut travel time to roughly two hours.
The project is expected to be completed in six years and serve around 10 million passengers annually. Officials said it will modernize transport and strengthen economic ties between the Gulf kingdoms. The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
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This deal reflects improving relations between the two countries, once deeply divided. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with Qatar over political disputes. The allegations included Doha supporting extremist groups and aligning with Iran, which Qatar denied.
Relations fully restored in January 2021 after a summit in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla. Since then, leaders have made several high-profile visits to strengthen ties. Prince Mohammed visited Doha in December 2021, marking a major step in regional cooperation.
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Analysts say the rail project signals a new era of collaboration in the Gulf. It will boost trade, travel, and tourism between the countries. The high-speed train also demonstrates Gulf nations’ focus on modern infrastructure and regional integration.