India’s ties with West Asia to get a boost | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

India’s ties with West Asia to get a boost

Hindustan Times | ByShishir Gupta and Jayanth Jacob, New Delhi
Jul 26, 2015 12:13 AM IST

The NDA government is poised to launch its high-level engagements with West Asia, which is in the throes of changing political dynamics in the wake of growing threat from Islamic State (IS) and Iran nuclear deal.

The NDA government is poised to launch its high-level engagements with West Asia, which is in the throes of changing political dynamics in the wake of growing threat from Islamic State (IS) and Iran nuclear deal.

PM Narendra Modi and the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. (PIB File Photo)
PM Narendra Modi and the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. (PIB File Photo)

Modi government is looking at leveraging the position India enjoys as a country with world’s second largest Muslim population and which has robust ties with key players in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran, to play a befitting role.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

While President Pranab Mukherjee is set to travel to Jordan, Palestine and Israel from October 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Saudi Arabia, the country with the largest Indian passport holders outside India and UAE. The last visit by an Indian PM to UAE was in 1981.

The region is home to over six million Indians and also accounts for 60% of New Delhi’s oil import.

Driven by security cooperation, investment ties, diaspora engagements, the two visits are expected to see New Delhi delicately balancing its interests there in the backdrop of Iran nuclear deal. The Iran nuclear deal is set to change the dynamics of the region as unlikely allies Israel and Saudi Arabia are opposing the pact on restricting Tehran’s nuclear weapon ambition.

Significantly, Modi is set to travel to Israel only after visiting Gulf starting from Saudi Arabia, which HT had first reported on June 19.

“There is nothing called an either-or situation in diplomacy. This region is crucial to us, and we have good ties with every country in the region. Our security concerns match and our mutual interests converge,” says a government official as New Delhi is readying to send a special interlocutor to Saudi Arabia shortly to lay the ground for the PM visit.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is also expected to visit Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Saudi Arabia is India’s largest supplier of crude, accounting for almost 20% of its crude imports.

India and Saudi Arabia have been stepping up security ties. The growing threat from Islamic State (IS) is an issue two countries will be discussing a great about.

Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest trading partner for India. The value of two-way trade between the two countries in 2013-14 exceeded $48.62 billion. Two sides are set to step up the investment and trade ties further.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On