Why in news?

Recently at the G-20 summit in New Delhi, U.S.-backed infrastructure project was unveiled to connect India, West Asia and Europe with shipping lanes, rail networks, pipelines and data cables.

To know more about the G-20 summit click here

What is India and West Asia relations all about?

• West Asia- It has two distinct regions: Levant and Gulf region.
  • Levant region- It includes Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, and some would include the northern part of Iraq - the area that became part of the Islamic State.
  • Gulf region- It comprises the 6 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, and Iraq.
• Historical ties - India had a distinct unique historical relationship with Arab, Turkish, Jewish and Persian civilisations.
• High profile diplomatic dynamism- West Asia is a region for India to augment its power rather than to display or assert.
• Support Palestine cause- India has always supported the Palestine aspiration for Independent State since Mahatma Gandhi.
• Comprehensive Security Partnership- It is a joint India-UAE initiative to promote security and stability in West Asia which was signed in 2017.
• Economic cooperation- A Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation between Republic of India and GCC was signed in 2004.
• Maritime connectivity- Development of Chabahar port in Iran would help India bypass Pakistan and increase trade relations with Afghanistan and Iran.
• Huge remittances- The remittances from Gulf States contribute a major chunk in India’s total share.
• Abraham Accords-India’s presence in a grouping of the Abraham Accords countries was seen as a legitimate recognition of India’s presence in the region.
• India-Middle East-Europe Corridor- Announced at the G-20 Summit, the corridor enhances India’s standing and also brings India and Europe closer.
• Compete China- US wanted to bring India as a bigger, stable partner to write new rules of economic engagement and integration, to compete with China and India seems to utilise this opportunity.
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)-  INSTC is a 7,200-km multi-modal transport corridor that connects Russia and India via central Asia and Iran.

What lies ahead?

• India’s overall policy towards the region should stay anchored in the idea of multi-engagement — not in appeasing or containing any great power.
• With or without the U.S., or irrespective of China’s presence in the region, India should strive to play a major geopolitical role in West Asia, it extended neighbourhood, without upsetting its traditional balance.

References

1. The Hindu| India and great power contest in West Asia
2. Ministry of External Affairs| India and West Asia