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.

Erdoğan’s Visit to St. Petersburg: A Measured Russia-Turkey Rapprochement

While a Russia-Turkey rapprochement is driven by their particular national interests, its trajectory and outcome are likely to be shaped by the interplay of several geo-economic and geo-political factors.

Rajorshi Roy
August 16, 2016
IDSA Comments

The Failed Coup in Turkey – The Road Ahead

The coup has seriously dented Turkey’s image as a stable, secular, progressive and prosperous country. And Erdogan's witch-hunt has tarnished the country's reputation and credibility. Turkey’s polity and economy will take a long time to recover from the crippling attrition of recent days.

Ashok Sajjanhar
August 02, 2016
IDSA Comments

Saudi-Israeli Rendezvous: Does it indicate a Policy Change?

It is early days to speculate on the likely outcome and possible trajectory in Saudi-Israeli engagement, but Eshki’s visit has so far been the clearest indication of Saudi willingness to engage with the Jewish state.

The Attempted Coup in Turkey: What Next?

Erdogan and Gulen were allies until 2013 when a corruption scandal erupted and Gulen’s followers in the judiciary and police investigated ministers and officials close to Erdogan.

K. P. Fabian
July 20, 2016
IDSA Comments

The Chilcot Report on Blair and the War on Iraq

One cannot say that Chilcot has come up with any startling or original insight. But it is useful to have solid documentary evidence in a consolidated form for the conclusions generally accepted.

K. P. Fabian
July 11, 2016
IDSA Comments

The Terrorist Attack on Ataturk Airport – Portents and Pointers

The June 28 attack on Ataturk airport, as also the Zaventem attack in Brussels, have highlighted the security lacunae in all airports, which do not monitor the arrival terminals.

Prabha Rao
July 08, 2016
Issue Brief

The Impact of World War I on the Arab World Today

The military campaigns waged during the war and the political arrangements entered into immediately thereafter created the Arab world as it exists today as well as the problems it continues to confront.

K. P. Fabian
June 17, 2016
IDSA Comments

Jerusalem Calling

Modi visiting Jerusalem would be a re-affirmation of India’s diplomatic ability to pursue multiple national interests by manoeuvring between countries who have difficult or non-existent relationships among themselves but who share important relationships with India.

Modi’s Visit to Iran: Will it provide a New Momentum to Bilateral Relations?

This is an appropriate time to engage Iran, take the relationship forward and concretise many pending projects on connectivity and energy cooperation.

The Half-Forgotten War in Yemen

For Yemen, known in antiquity as Arabia Felix (Happy Arabia), there is much sorrow in store as of now. The Romans used to contrast Arabia Felix with Arabia Deserta.