West Asian Theatre: India Must Find The Right Diplomatic Balance  

Steadily it has grown into a robust strategic partnership with Tel Aviv and New Delhi backing each other during times of acute military crisis. 

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC),the multimodal network including rail and waterways, touted as the modern-day Silk Route based on a partnership of equals has taken India- Israel partnership to a new dimension with investment several avenues opening up. In fact it is also being examined ways to increase Israeli investments in Indian stock markets and New Delhi’s participation in mega infrastructure projects. 

While this growth in India-Israel ties should be celebrated, Tel Aviv alone cannot be the only centre of India’s West Asia policy. 

The region, which extends to North Africa, is of utmost strategic importance to India and its wide-ranging interests. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s quick condemnation of Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar followed by a similar statement by New Delhi at the United Nations have been timely. These are the right steps in the right direction. 

With the turmoil brewing, the larger Arab world feels that India could have taken a principled stand on the Gaza crisis through occasional statements even while maintaining its robust ties with Israel.    

India-West Asia Ties

India’s West Asia connection is not just about emotions and sentiments but geo-economic and geopolitical dynamics drive the contours of relations and that needs to be remembered. 

West Asia and the larger Arab world are no longer big supporters of Pakistan. In fact with changing times and opportunities, their relations with India have morphed and cemented over years. And a large part of the credit goes to PM Modi. 

Over the last few years, prominent Arab countries have gradually been de-hyphenating their approach to India and Pakistan.

As a failed state and sagging economy Pakistan is solely dependent on doles and grants from the rich Arab states. The Pakistani diaspora in certain Gulf states have to often struggle for fresh visas and work permits. Interestingly, the fabric of Pakistani diaspora in these countries has remained largely stagnant with blue-collar workforce dominating the scene.

Contrast this with the Indian diaspora. The Indian diaspora – 10 million strong – is no more just about blue collar jobs today. The number of Indians in senior white-collar jobs is only increasing. Along with this Indian investments and joint ventures have also been going up. 

Besides, India is now a preferred partner for defence partnership. Support for India among the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) has been growing and deft diplomacy New Delhi could become a member of the bloc sometime in the near future.  

Trade, Investments And Economic Engagements

Indian trade and investments across the Arab world have risen. In 2022, India-UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) – a landmark move. India is also negotiating a trade pact with Oman, which could fructify by the end of this year.

India is actively seeking investments from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in portfolio investments as well. India also needs to tap the huge reserves of Kuwait, one of the richest countries on Earth. 

India’s ties with Oman remain understated but the Arab nation is New Delhi’s oldest strategic partner in the Gulf region. The decision to grant Indian Navy access to the Duqm port is helping New Delhi in expanding its Indian Ocean Region outreach.

While focusing on the GCC, it is equally important to focus on Egypt, Morocco and Algeria which are three pillars of Africa and the Arab world. 

Egypt is in fact a key anchor for India in the African region and is key for connectivity. It can provide crucial connectivity with southern Europe and other parts of Africa and even Latin America.

There is also an opportunity for collaboration and increasing investments in the defence sector.

Similarly, Algeria, one of Africa’s biggest economies needs attention from India, given the big opportunity that its market and defence industry present. 

Morocco-India ties have been transformed over the past decade leading to security, defence industry and economic partnership. Morocco is the rising tiger of Africa with strong partnerships in Europe and Western Africa and is well poised to be India’s anchor in the region. 

Despite Late Entry, China Has Made Significant Gains

Yet notwithstanding the goodwill in West Asia and success over the past decade, India when compared to China is lagging in economic partnership. Beijing, despite being a late entrant into the region, has made significant strides in investments and economic engagements. 

India has been present in the region as some would say for millennia. China has raced ahead with its investments which they would utilise for political benefits over the next decade. India should try to expand its outreach, encouraging its business and exporters to tap markets instead of focusing on the comfort zones of two or three countries.

Food security, infrastructure, defence hardware, logistics besides traditional energy are core areas where Indian investors and exporters can focus and cash in building lasting political goodwill.

(Writer is commentator on geo-politics. Views are personal.)