West Asia

About Centre

The West Asia Centre seeks to cover issues, themes and countries of the region which are undergoing rapid political transformation impacting the political and security situation of the region and beyond. Popular protests demanding political and economic reforms and the subsequent fall of some long ruling authoritarian rulers and the rise of Islamists to power have significantly changed the region’s political landscape. GCC-Iran rivalry, Shia-Sunni sectarian conflict, external intervention in the region, and the rise of religious radicalism have further aggravated the situation. The Centre is closely following the unfolding internal political developments in individual countries as well as the regional political scenario.

The historical shifts in the region and domestic political developments will have a significant impact on India’s external environment. With huge stakes in the region such as energy, trade and safety of Indian citizens in the region, it has become important for India to carefully watch developments taking place in its ‘extended neighbourhood.’ These and other related issues are being focused upon by the scholars at the Centre. The Centre continues to hold regular bilateral dialogues with some leading think tanks in West Asia thus facilitating exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Current projects being pursued in the Centre are:

Linking South and Central and West Asia: Transportation and Energy Cooperation
Political transformations in the Arab world and implications for India
Regional organisation in Gulf: The Gulf Cooperation Council
India-Arab relations and partnership
Iran’s domestic and foreign policies
India’s Engagement with Iran: Prospects and challenges.

MBS Visit Strengthens the Indo-Saudi Strategic Partnership

The key focus areas during the visit of MBS to India were terrorism, investment, energy, skill development, security and Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia.

Lakshmi Priya
March 05, 2019
Comment

Mohammed bin Salman walks the India-Pakistan tightrope

Visiting ‘brother’ Pakistan and ‘friend’ India at a time when tensions are running high both in West Asia and South Asia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walked the India-Pakistan tightrope with extreme caution.

Prasanta Kumar Pradhan
February 25, 2019
Comment

Consolidating India-Iran Cooperation

While Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif’s visit has created a better environment, the challenge lies in sustaining the current momentum

Nagapushpa Devendra
February 14, 2019
Comment

The New Saudi Initiative of ‘Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden’

Facing huge political and security challenges in the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia now looks westward to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden coast for a new regional security arrangement.

Prasanta Kumar Pradhan
January 15, 2019
Comment

Turkey Treads a Fine Line in Syria

In the light of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, Ankara has adopted a cautious approach towards the Syrian Kurds and has decided to take Moscow’s concerns into account before making any move in northern Syria.

Md. Muddassir Quamar
January 04, 2019
Comment

Khashoggi Affair Unlikely to Affect US-Saudi Strategic Ties

Two factors explain Washington’s lack of enthusiasm for sanctioning Saudi Arabia over the Khashoggi affair despite domestic and international pressure.

Md. Muddassir Quamar
October 23, 2018
Comment

The Jamal Khashoggi Affair

Riyadh committed a crime and blunder; its communication strategy, so far, has been an unmitigated disaster. MbS is facing a challenge, to put it mildly.

K. P. Fabian
October 23, 2018
Comment

India and the UAE: Progress towards ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’

The way forward for New Delhi is to seize the momentum and develop a strategic partnership with the UAE to safeguard its core national interests while avoiding regional entanglements.

Return of the Persian Puzzle

While it is necessary to identify and shore up the convergence of interest between India and Iran, it is equally important to recognize differences and pitfalls.

P. R. Kumaraswamy
July 05, 2018
Comment

Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism: The “Uzbek Model”

The Uzbek approach to dealing with radicalisation and extremism has evolved from tough and uncompromising measures to a flexible and accommodative approach.