Contents
Introduction
Adopted in January 2026 amid West Asian fragmentation, the Delhi Declaration marks a new phase in India’s ‘Link West’ policy, reflecting strategic maturity as India balances norms, security, and economic interests.
From ‘Look West’ to ‘Link West’: Strategic Evolution
- India’s West Asia policy has evolved from transactional energy-diaspora ties to a multidimensional ‘Link West’ strategy encompassing security, connectivity, and technology.
- As highlighted in the MEA’s Annual Report (2024–25), West Asia accounts for over US$240 billion in trade, 60% of crude oil imports, and hosts nearly nine million Indians.
- The 2026 Delhi Declaration institutionalises this engagement by reviving India–Arab League dialogue after a decade, signalling India’s intent to act as a stabilising stakeholder rather than a passive balancer.
Explicit Positions: Strategic Clarity in a Volatile Region
“The Declaration demonstrates unusual clarity on issues aligning with India’s core interests.
- Normative Commitment to the Two-State Solution: By explicitly endorsing a sovereign Palestinian State on 1967 borders and reaffirming the Arab Peace Initiative (2002), India reiterates its historical anti-colonial and Global South ethos, consistent with Nehruvian diplomacy and India’s voting record at the UNGA, while maintaining de-hyphenated ties with Israel.
- Zero Tolerance for Terrorism: The Arab League’s condemnation of terrorism, including cross-border terror and misuse of emerging technologies by non-state actors, reinforces India’s long-standing narrative post-26/11 and aligns with UNSC Resolution 1373. It reflects convergence on internal security concerns amid rising drone and AI-enabled threats.
- Maritime Security and Global Commons: The Declaration’s emphasis on securing the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and Gulf of Aden aligns with India’s SAGAR doctrine and mission-based naval deployments. Given that nearly 12% of global trade passes through these chokepoints (World Bank), India’s proactive stance enhances its image as a net security provider.
Strategic Silences: Autonomy through Non-Interference
What the Declaration omits is equally revealing of India’s diplomatic sophistication.
- Neutrality in Intra-Arab Rivalries: By avoiding references to Saudi–UAE competition in Sudan, Libya, and Somalia, India preserves its partnerships across fault lines, reflecting its doctrine of ‘multi-alignment’ rather than bloc politics.
- Non-Intervention in Domestic Politics: Silence on governance transitions in Sudan, Yemen, and Libya reinforces India’s principled commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity, echoing the Bandung spirit and contrasting with Western interventionist approaches.
- Caution on Iran–US Escalation: The omission of Iran-related tensions allows India diplomatic flexibility, crucial for safeguarding interests like Chabahar connectivity to Central Asia, even amid US sanctions pressure, as noted in the Economic Survey (2025–26).
Future-Oriented Engagement: Beyond Oil and Diaspora
The Declaration pivots India–Arab ties toward the future economy.
- Energy Transition and Connectivity: Focus on green hydrogen and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) reflects India’s aspiration to integrate West Asia into global value chains while supporting its net-zero commitments.
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India’s offer to share India Stack (UPI, ONDC) positions it as a development partner, reinforcing South–South cooperation and soft power leadership.
Conclusion
As President K. R. Narayanan argued, foreign policy must blend ideals with interests; the Delhi Declaration reflects this synthesis, marking India’s confident transition from cautious engagement to calibrated leadership in West Asia.
