An article in Foreign Policy, a noted US magazine focused on global affairs, has cited the emergence of India as a “major player” in the Middle East as one of the most interesting geopolitical developments in the region in years. The write-up highlighted New Delhi’s deep and growing ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It focussed on how this shift reflected the changing international order and even the eagerness of these nations to benefit from the new multipolarity.
“The US may no longer be the undisputed big dog in the region, but as long as India expands its presence in the Middle East, neither Russia nor China can assume that role,” asserted Steven A Cook, the author. He recalled his visit to India around a decade ago to state what had struck him then, that Indians did not want to play a larger role in the Middle East. In the 10 years since his trip, however, things have changed, he said.
India’s growing presence
United States is very keen on combatting China and has a keen eye on its movement across the world. Amidst this, India has forged strong relations with the Middle East and this marks a significant moment. Saudi Arabia, have long aligned with Pakistan, and this pivot towards India stems in part from a common interest in containing Islamist extremism but much more from shared economic benefits. Arab countries host more than 7 million Indian immigrants and their remittances back home alone amount to around USD 40 billion each year.
India-Israel ties have started to flourish. These have rapidly developed in a variety of fields, notably high tech and defence after Narendra Modi became the first Indian head of government to visit Israel in 2017 and his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu returned the honour a year later. In the past, India’s business community shied away from investing in Israel, given the country’s small market and controversial politics and this has now changed. In 2022, the Adani Group and an Israeli partner won a tender for Haifa Port for USD 1.2 billion, and there are also ongoing negotiations for an India-Israel Free Trade Agreement.
“Of course, the India-Israel relationship is complicated. India remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinians; has friendly ties with Iran, from which New Delhi has purchased significant amounts of oil; and Indian elites tend to see Israel through the prism of their country’s own colonial experience,” the article added.
Will India play to USs rule?
Referring to Modi’s recent two-day visit to Egypt, it said by all measures, this was an episode in the ongoing Egyptian-Indian love fest, coming about six months after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was the guest of honour at India’s 74th Republic Day celebration — his third visit to New Delhi since assuming power. Like the Chinese, the Indians regard Egypt as a gateway through which to send their goods to Africa and Europe, the article added.
With these growing ties, US is visibly happy as it expects India to be its partner to counter China in the region. Cook argues that for all the positive vibes of the US-India relations, it seems unlikely that New Delhi wants to be the strategic partner that Washington imagines. PTI
