Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist August 2018 | Page 12

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received at the Offi cial Welcome ceremony at the Royal Court, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on April 03, 2016. India’s Diplomatic Quest in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia forms a Key Ally By Ashwath Komath* T he current decade is one that has witnessed tectonic shifts in terms of power politics. For one, it has signaled clearly America’s shift towards the Pacific from the larger politics of the Middle East. This was the policy initiated in the Obama administration, with the Trump administration even more intent on limiting the American role in the Middle East. Even in India, there has been a change in the way the country views itself and asserts itself on the world stage. India has developed global power ambitions owing to its growing economic and military clout, and this has led it to redefi ne its ties with various powers around the world. Since the Modi Government has come to power, there has been a more proactive approach in Indian foreign policy, with the Middle East being an essential part of the new strategy. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia in April 2016 was an important visit marking the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and India, which resulted in the signing of several agreements and increased cooperation in the security and economic fi elds. India’s ‘Look West’ policy is a lot more sophisticated in intent and design, and it focuses on Saudi Arabia as a core partner. Diplomatically, Saudi Arabia is seen as a vital country for India. For one, Saudi Arabia is 12 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 8 • August 2018, Noida the largest country in the Gulf in terms of size, economy, and military strength. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Saudi Arabia is considered to be the anchor economy as well as its most infl uential member. This means that Saudi Arabia would be very important for retaining infl uence over the Gulf in general. Developments in the Gulf have considerable impact on India, be it with regard to energy security, diaspora matters and remittances, commercial interests or security matters. Saudi Arabia’s clout with other Islamic countries, owing to its status as guardian of the Two Holy Mosques in Islam and its leadership in pan-Islamic bodies such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), becomes important for India. Saudi Arabia’s substantial clout also comes from its disbursement of aid to various countries around the world. Saudi Arabia’s relations with Western countries is also of importance here, especially its close ties with the United States. Even while the latter’s role in the Middle East seems to be diminishing, Saudi Arabia’s ability to secure American support for its regional ventures such as the isolation of Qatar and the operations currently going on in Yemen shows the far- reaching infl uence the country wields. Perhaps a closer relationship with Saudi Arabia would also benefi t India with regard to its relations with other Western powers.