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Relationship dossier

Australia Saudi Arabia

Relationship assessment

Pragmatic engagement, with targeted Australian sanctions over the Khashoggi killing

Australia toward Saudi Arabia

+5

Australia imposed targeted travel and financial measures on Saudi nationals over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. This action sits alongside ongoing diplomatic and commercial engagement.

Saudi Arabia toward Australia

+15

Saudi government scholarship programs have supported Saudi students studying in Australia, providing a concrete education link between the countries. The scope of other bilateral government cooperation is unclear.

Overall relationship

+15

The relationship combines ongoing commercial and educational engagement with a significant episode of Australian pressure over the Khashoggi killing. These features point to pragmatic ties rather than a close strategic partnership or sustained confrontation.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Australia and Saudi Arabia maintain pragmatic government relations, including educational links and commercial engagement. Australia also imposed targeted measures on Saudi nationals over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, creating a notable point of friction. The scope and implementation of bilateral cooperation are not fully clear.

Areas of tension

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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