India in a renewed thrust to the tap the resource rich West Asian region is all geared up to host several high-level delegations from the region. India’s relation with several West Asian countries is on a high note since the last decade.
The series of visits will kick-off with the arrival of Qatari PM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalif Al Thani on December 3. PM Abdullah is arriving in India on the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, who visited the oil-rich country in June, 2016.
Qatar, the richest country in the world, is the largest supplier of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) to India. Accompanying the Qatari PM, will be a high-level select business delegation which will draft several joint investment agreements with their counterparts.
Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson MEA, briefing the media said “Sheikh Abdullah, Qatari PM and also the Interior Minister, is coming to India on the invitation of PM Modi and the two leaders will hold discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of common interest”
PM Narendra Modi during his meet with PM Abdullah is expected to request renew Qatar its efforts to counter terrorism and money laundering. Over the years, Qatar has distanced itself from Pakistan and in various occasions has batted for India’s renewed push towards West Asia.
The leaders are expected to witness the inking of ‘bilateral investment protection and double taxation avoidance’ agreements. This is the third high-level visit India and Qatar relations are witnessing in less than two years.
Qatar is planning to invest close to $15 Billion in India to boost the infrastructure sector. Both the countries have in the past agreed to set-up modern oil and gas infrastructure, which will help in drastically increasing bilateral trade quotient.
On the strategic and defence front, India and Qatar have agreed to ratify intelligence sharing agreements in an effort to combat growing global terrorism. Qatar is an emerging naval partner of India in the West Asian Region. Several frontline battleships of the Indian Navy have berthed at Qatari ports when on long-range patrols.
The visit of PM Abdullah is expected to elevate the relations to newer height and forge the path for increased mutual investments.
India alongside the Qatari PM will host Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad. India and Iran relations have been on a high-note since world powers concluded the much debated Iran deal.
Iran had openly thanked India for standing by the country at times of difficulty. The visit of the Foreign Minister is widely viewed as an effort to drive India’s investment into a cash-starved Iran.
Iran incidentally is the second largest supplier of crude oil to India and the current bilateral trade between the nations stand at a whopping $15 Billion.
India is currently involved in several development projects in the Persian country. PM Narendra Modi during his visit to the nation in May, 2016 had witnessed India’s efforts in completing a highway between Zavanj and Delavam.
India is keenly interested in developing the Chabar Port which is located strategically opposite to the Sino-Pakistan developed Gwadar port. PM Modi during his recent visit to Japan has signed an agreement with his counterpart Sinzo Abe to boost the infrastructural capacity of Chabar.
India in January will be hosting Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nayan, who will arrive here as the Chief Guest for Republic Day Parade – 2017. This is the second visit of the prince in less than a year.
During the visit, India and Abu Dhabi plan to boost strategic, diplomatic and business interest. Both the countries will also conclude several security and defence agreements which have been in discussion for years.
During PM Modi’s trip to the gulf region, Abu Dhabi was the maiden stop and it was also the first visit of an Indian PM to the country after almost 33 years. During Modi’s visit, India and Abu Dhabi had signed several MoU’s to boost bilateral trade and to look beyond the oil sector, around which the relations have evolved for decades.
Prince Mohammed has on several occasions committed to help India in its mission to counter terrorism by breaking the nexus of terror financing.
Abu Dhabi is believed to be interested in investing over $75 Billion to boost India’s transportation and infrastructure sector. Sources in the diplomatic circle indicate that the countries may ink a MoU in this regard under the National Infrastructure Investment Fund.
Later in 2017, India is expected to receive Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The bilateral relations between India and Saudi are on an upscale, since Saudi started distancing itself from India’s arch rival Pakistan.
During the Monarch’s visit, the countries are expected to ratify the strategic energy relationship. Agreements will be signed to set-up oil and gas infrastructure along the Western Coast of India.
Following this, the bilateral trade between the countries is expected to soar up from the current $22 Billion mark. Saudi during the visit of PM Modi had agreed to stand guarantee to India’s 2-million workers. A key-note of the Monarch’s visit will be the expected conclusion of ‘labour cooperation agreement’.
In an effort to curb global terrorism, India and Saudi had inked an elaborate agreement to increase intelligence sharing. The visit will pave the way for not only boosting the bilateral relations between the countries but will serve as a clear message to Pakistan.
King Abdullah II, the Jordanian King, is expected to make a state visit to India in March, 2017. Diplomatic relations between the countries were set-up in 1950 and the relations have been tantalized at times given Jordan’s proximity to Pakistan. Since the last two decades both the countries have made renewed efforts to entertain and address mutual needs. The King’s visit is expected to set stage for PM Modi’s planned visit to Jordan in the latter half of 2017.
India’s increasing bonhomie with the West Asian countries will give it a firm footing in the global arena. Surging relations with the gulf countries will not only answer India’s energy needs but will also India gain a firm footing along the Persian Gulf, which geopolitical experts say is critical to counter the Chinese foray into the IOR.
