Source: This post on India-West Asia Relations has been created on the article “Ram Madhav writes: Why peace in West Asia matters to India” published in Indian Express on 18th November 2023.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
News: The article discusses India’s focus on maintaining peace in West Asia, an important region for India’s energy needs and trade. It highlights India’s historical and recent diplomatic efforts in the region, including strengthening ties with various countries and supporting a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
West Asian Region:
How Have India’s Relations with West Asia Evolved?
Historical Links: Ancient trade between the Indus Valley Civilization and Dilmun (modern Bahrain) and the Mesopotamian Civilisation, and the inclusion of Punjab in the Persian Empire (6th BC), signify early connections.
Post-Independence Foundations: India’s relations with West Asia after its independence, marked by strong ties with leaders like Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser. These early connections were rooted in shared interests and political movements like the Non-Aligned Movement.
Challenges from Pakistan’s Influence: India faced hurdles in enhancing ties due to Pakistan’s proactive politics in the region. This influence often led to complications, as some West Asian countries were suspected of supporting Islamic fundamentalism in India.
India’s foreign policy towards West Asia, since (2014):
Look West Policy- Aims to fulfill national interests without entangling in regional Arab politics.
Economic Agreements- Like the recent India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Strategic Investments- For instance, Saudi Arabia’s investment in India’s Jio platform.
Regional Cooperation- Participation in forums like the India-Arab Cooperation Forum and cooperation with the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
De-Hyphenation Policy- This policy allowed India to engage with conflicting parties independently, such as separate visits to Israel and Palestine, showcasing a balanced and autonomous diplomatic approach.
What are India’s Major Achievements in West Asia?
Strategic and Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Enhanced cooperation in strategic and counter-terrorism areas is evident. In 2018, the UAE extradited Farooq Takla, a wanted terrorist and aide to Dawood Ibrahim, to India.
De-Hyphenation Policy Success: India’s de-hyphenation policy, separating its relations with Israel and Palestine, allowed for independent engagement with both and showcased a balanced approach in foreign policy.
Recognition at the Organisation of Islamic Countries: India’s growing influence was acknowledged when it was invited as the Guest of Honour at the Organisation of Islamic Countries summit in 2019, a significant diplomatic achievement given past challenges.
Part of I2U2: India actively participates in the I2U2 group, alongside Israel, UAE, and USA, focusing on collaborative projects in food security and clean energy. This cooperation significantly influences West Asia by promoting regional stability, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Why is Peace in West Asia Important for India?
Critical Energy Supplier: West Asia is crucial for India’s energy requirements, being the primary supplier of crude oil and natural gas. This makes the region’s stability directly influential on India’s energy security.
Largest Trading Partner: With a trade volume of $150 billion, West Asia stands as India’s largest trade partner. The UAE and Saudi Arabia alone account for $90 billion and $50 billion, respectively.
Strategic and Maritime Security: The prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict threatens to destabilize West Asia, potentially impacting India’s strategic interests in the region. Additionally, peace in West Asia is crucial for India’s control of Indian Ocean maritime routes, a key aspect of its geopolitical strategy.
Indian Diaspora: Approximately 8-9 million Indians reside in West Asia, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE hosting large Indian communities.
Question for practice:
Examine India’s evolving relations with West Asia and its significance for India’s foreign policy and national interests.
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