Why India is in damage-control mode with Arab nations
2 years, 9 months ago

Why India is in damage-control mode with Arab nations

CNN  

Editor’s Note: A version of this story first appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. “Modi has tried very hard to prevent his party’s domestic political agenda from spilling over and poisoning India’s relations with the Gulf states,” said Hasan Alhasan, a Bahrain-based fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies who researches Indian foreign policy in the Gulf. “The extent to which Sharma’s comments have clouded India’s relations with the Gulf states is unprecedented, and that’s of course because she is, or was, the spokesperson of the BJP.” Taneja said the Indian government has realized that a lot of religious rhetoric “has been taking place for a while and has been going unnoticed, but it will not go so anymore.” The hashtag “Anyone but the prophet, oh Modi” was trending on Twitter in all six Gulf countries, and as far away as Algeria, with residents in Muslim nations calling for a boycott of Indian products. The Gulf states are key sources of India’s oil and gas imports, and bilateral trade is over $100 billion,” said Alhasan. “I don’t think that will have a jeopardizing effect in terms of the economic or political relations because India is still an important country,” said Sager.

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History of this topic

India’s Gulf strategy: Why Qatar matters more than ever
1 month, 1 week ago

India’s Gulf strategy: Why Qatar matters more than ever

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani watches a performance as the latter is welcomed upon his arrival in India, in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to receive the Qatari Head of State, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during his state visit to India, clearly affirming the high importance India attaches …

India’s Gulf strategy: Why Qatar matters more than ever
1 month, 1 week ago

India’s Gulf strategy: Why Qatar matters more than ever

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani watches a performance as the latter is welcomed upon his arrival in India, in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to receive the Qatari Head of State, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during his state visit to India, clearly affirming the high importance India attaches …

India sees West Asia region as 'crucial passage to world beyond': MEA S Jaishankar
2 months ago

India sees West Asia region as 'crucial passage to world beyond': MEA S Jaishankar

Firstpost  

Jaishankar said the Middle East region, which India calls West Asia, is crucial to India’s strategic interests. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Raisina Middle East conference in Dubai, Jaishankar highlighted the region’s strategic importance, which India refers to as West Asia. More than 9 million Indians live and work here, but the Gulf also serves as a gateway …

Delhi looks to West, wins friends in Gulf
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Delhi looks to West, wins friends in Gulf

Hindustan Times  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Kuwait, currently the chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which India has been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement for the past several years, was significant in the bilateral context and its broader regional connotations. Over 8.8 million Indian citizens employed in the Gulf countries send over $40 billion in remittances, contributing significantly …

Ties across the sea: The Hindu Editorial on the India-UAE close relationship
1 year, 1 month ago

Ties across the sea: The Hindu Editorial on the India-UAE close relationship

The Hindu  

At first glance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates last week, might have seemed like any other bilateral visit he has undertaken. The timing may have been related to an invitation to address the ‘World Governments Summit’ in Dubai and to inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple, but the 10 bilateral agreements signed need a closer …

Abu Dhabi considers investment worth $50 billion in India
1 year, 5 months ago

Abu Dhabi considers investment worth $50 billion in India

Firstpost  

Over the past decade, the two nations have been working to strengthen their relationship and have set a goal to increase non-oil bilateral trade to $100 billion. Notably, Modi’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi marked his fifth trip to the Gulf nation since assuming office as the Prime Minister in 2014. Earlier this year, India and the UAE set a …

‘India, UAE can broaden economic ties’
1 year, 5 months ago

‘India, UAE can broaden economic ties’

Live Mint  

India and the United Arab Emirates are looking to identify and incorporate commodities to diversify trade between the two countries, UAE ambassador to India 8said in an interview. He added that India, Europe, and the Middle East MoU for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor could potentially reduce shipping costs and facilitate efficient trade in goods and services. India, Europe, and …

DC Edit | Good Saudi ties to help India
1 year, 6 months ago

DC Edit | Good Saudi ties to help India

Deccan Chronicle  

The Crown Prince who is its Prime Minister as well the prime mover of modernisation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not letting out a secret when he said that there had been no disagreement in the history of India-Saudi Arabia relations. The strong historical ties received a healthy boost with Mohamed bin Salman, staying back after the G-20 …

Trade is at the heart of the India-UAE relations
1 year, 6 months ago

Trade is at the heart of the India-UAE relations

Hindustan Times  

Later this week, New Delhi will host the most significant global forum in its history. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photograph during an official visit reception at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 15, 2023. In 2017, the UAE-India relationship was formally elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic …

Strengthening Ties: Exploring the Growing Relationship between Saudi Arabia and India
1 year, 8 months ago

Strengthening Ties: Exploring the Growing Relationship between Saudi Arabia and India

Deccan Chronicle  

In recent years, the bond between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has experienced substantial growth and consolidation. Cited as one of the strongest global voices on moderate Islam from Saudi Arabia, Al-Issa shared the stage with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, praising India's unity and secularism. Cementing Trade Partnerships Saudi Arabia and India are major players in the …

Modi in UAE: Why India Is in a Unique Position in Middle Eastern Quad
2 years, 9 months ago

Modi in UAE: Why India Is in a Unique Position in Middle Eastern Quad

The Quint  

Shortly before these visits, Israel was in the headlines for signing a free trade agreement with the UAE, whose pragmatic leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed had shaken up regional geopolitics when his country became the first Gulf state and only the third Arab state to normalise relations with Israel in 2020. Just before this agreement, the UAE had entered into …

Will Prophet remarks controversy shake India-Middle East trade?
2 years, 9 months ago

Will Prophet remarks controversy shake India-Middle East trade?

Al Jazeera  

Gulf nations will watch protests in India closely with both sides having billions riding on investments and trade. This and other moves like investments in Indian businesses by the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia and UAE are seen as the maturing of economic ties between India and the Gulf, beyond the decades-old areas of oil and remittances. The initiative …

Explained | Why are India’s economic stakes high in West Asia?
2 years, 9 months ago

Explained | Why are India’s economic stakes high in West Asia?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The diplomatic fallout from the provocative and communally charged comments made by two erstwhile spokespersons of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, forced the government into firefighting mode earlier this month after several West Asian nations including Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as well as the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation …

India and Gulf Nations Stand Inseparable Despite Sinister Attempts to Scuttle Their Bond
2 years, 9 months ago

India and Gulf Nations Stand Inseparable Despite Sinister Attempts to Scuttle Their Bond

News 18  

With the recent furore in the international media over the controversy related to Islam’s Prophet, the Indian government promptly acted upon the requests of its brotherly Gulf nations by respecting their religious sentiments—in order to maintain the historical bonds which the Arabs and Indians have enjoyed. Roy explained, “India is dependent on the six Gulf Cooperation Council states for 42 …

Why are Gulf countries significant to India
2 years, 9 months ago

Why are Gulf countries significant to India

Live Mint  

India is facing a major diplomatic outrage from several Arab countries after two BJP spokespersons made derogatory references to the Prophet Muhammad in their recent statements. During this period, India’s imports from Saudi Arabia reached US $26.84 billion and exports to Saudi Arabia were worth US$ 6.25 billion registering an increase of 12.18% over last year. of India Indian Investments …

Data | Hate remarks against the Prophet: Why does the Gulf matter?
2 years, 9 months ago

Data | Hate remarks against the Prophet: Why does the Gulf matter?

The Hindu  

Following diplomatic backlash from all the countries that are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — and Iran, the ruling BJP suspended its spokesperson, Nupur Sharma, and the Delhi unit of the party expelled its media cell head, Naveen Kumar, over their remarks on Prophet Mohammad and Islam. One, the …

Nupur Sharma's suspension: What next for India-West Asia relations?
2 years, 9 months ago

Nupur Sharma's suspension: What next for India-West Asia relations?

India Today  

On Sunday, the ruling BJP suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her remarks on Prophet Muhammad. India's business with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, stood at $87 billion in 2020-21. The strategically critical region, frequently visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is also the top source of India's energy imports. Sheikh Mohamed …

Why backlash from West Asian nations matters for India
2 years, 9 months ago

Why backlash from West Asian nations matters for India

Live Mint  

India’s ruling party was thrown into prompt damage control mode over the weekend as key West Asian trading partners summoned the country’s diplomatic envoys following alleged Islamophobic remarks by a party spokesperson during a TV debate. In 2021-22, India recorded a total trade of about $189 billion with seven Gulf countries—Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and …

Turning to trade winds: The Hindu Editorial on India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
3 years, 1 month ago

Turning to trade winds: The Hindu Editorial on India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

The Hindu  

A little over two years after it turned its back at the last minute on a major multilateral trade agreement it had spent years negotiating, India last week announced the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates. The free trade pact is a tacit acknowledgment that India needs to strengthen its trade ties with existing …

India and the UAE are partners in prosperity
3 years, 1 month ago

India and the UAE are partners in prosperity

Hindustan Times  

This week was a historic moment for the United Arab Emirates and India. Moreover, the UAE and India signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2017 to set out an ambitious roadmap for political and economic cooperation. First, it will trigger increased investment flows, lower tariffs, and create enormous new opportunities for key sectors in both India and the …

UAE, India look to double trade to at least $100B over five years
3 years, 6 months ago

UAE, India look to double trade to at least $100B over five years

Al Jazeera  

The United Arab Emirates is trying to burnish its credentials as a global hub for business and finance in the face of growing regional competition from Saudi Arabia. The two governments are set to start talks on an economic pact aimed at boosting business, investment and jobs, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said on a …

India and the Abraham Accords
4 years, 6 months ago

India and the Abraham Accords

The Hindu  

The White House ceremony on September 15 marking the formal normalisation of Israel’s ties with the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain has created a significant inflection point in regional history and geopolitics. Hence, the ‘Abraham Accords’ entered with the UAE and Bahrain are ‘peace-for-peace’ deals without any physical quid pro quo by Israel. Multiple drivers are likely …

A double whammy for India-Gulf economic ties
4 years, 11 months ago

A double whammy for India-Gulf economic ties

The Hindu  

The Gulf region is at the epicentre of a perfect storm: apart from the COVID-19 pandemic, it also has an oil price meltdown. Although this double jeopardy still has some distance to go before stabilising, given India’s vital relations with the eight Gulf countries, the situation’s impact on bilateral economic ties needs to be anticipated and managed. Bilateral economic ties …

Iraq seeks investment from Indian companies in its oil and gas sector
5 years, 6 months ago

Iraq seeks investment from Indian companies in its oil and gas sector

India Today  

Iraq on Wednesday invited Indian companies to invest in the country's lucrative oil and gas sector, saying there are "huge opportunities" for increasing cooperation in the area. Ambassador of Iraq Falah Abdulhasan said Iraq was looking for investment by Indian companies in the oil and gas sector and the issue is likely to be discussed during Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's …

Saudi Arabia committed to meet India's energy security needs amid disruption in global oil supply, says Ambassador Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati
5 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia committed to meet India's energy security needs amid disruption in global oil supply, says Ambassador Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati

Firstpost  

In the midst of disruption in global oil supply following the biggest-ever attacks on its oil installations, Saudi Arabia has said it is committed to meet India’s energy security needs and will work constructively with other oil producers to maintain market stability New Delhi: In the midst of disruption in global oil supply following the biggest-ever attacks on its oil …

Why have Saudi Arabia, UAE failed to condemn India over Kashmir?
5 years, 6 months ago

Why have Saudi Arabia, UAE failed to condemn India over Kashmir?

Al Jazeera  

The Gulf heavyweights have not sided with Pakistan, and analysts say it’s because of India’s growing economic clout. 190904122016072 While Saudi Arabia expressed concern over India’s unilateral decision to scrap Kashmir’s special status and the imposition of crippling security lockdown, the UAE called it New Delhi’s internal matter. “India has developed a good economic relationship with Saudi Arabia and the …

Narendra Modi awarded Order of Zayed by Abu Dhabi's crown prince for boosting bilateral ties between India, UAE
5 years, 7 months ago

Narendra Modi awarded Order of Zayed by Abu Dhabi's crown prince for boosting bilateral ties between India, UAE

Firstpost  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the United Arab Emirates’ highest civilian honour during a visit Saturday to the oil-rich Gulf nation. Dubai: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the United Arab Emirates’ highest civilian honour during a visit Saturday to the oil-rich Gulf nation, reinforcing ties between the countries even as he pursues stripping statehood from the disputed Muslim-majority …

Indian business ties underpin muted Arab response to Kashmir
5 years, 7 months ago

Indian business ties underpin muted Arab response to Kashmir

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Gulf Arab countries have remained mostly silent as India’s government moved to strip Indian-administered Kashmir of its limited autonomy, imposing a sweeping military curfew in the disputed Muslim-majority region and cutting off residents from all communication and the internet. Saudi Arabia’s response to the military clampdown in Indian-controlled Kashmir is complicated by its close ties …

As Middle East tensions rise, what is at stake for India?
5 years, 9 months ago

As Middle East tensions rise, what is at stake for India?

Live Mint  

Tensions in the Middle East are rising to the point where US President Donald Trump has even started talking about who pays for the protection of the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping corridor through which one third of all seaborne petroleum passes. A conflict in the northern part of the Persian Gulf could have an impact on shipping to and …

India's relations with Arab world improved due to foreign policy under Modi govt: Sushma Swaraj
6 years, 3 months ago

India's relations with Arab world improved due to foreign policy under Modi govt: Sushma Swaraj

India TV News  

India's relations with Arab world improved due to foreign policy under Modi govt: Sushma Swaraj Today, India is also having good relations with those countries who are traditional rivals, like the US and Russia, Israel and Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Iran, the external affairs minister said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on a two-day visit, …

What is India-Iran oil trade all about?
6 years, 8 months ago

What is India-Iran oil trade all about?

The Hindu  

Iran has always been one of India’s main suppliers of oil, second only to Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with exports that totalled more than 27 million tonnes last year. For India, which has been told along with other buyers to take oil imports to “zero” by the cut-off date of November 4, its decisions on procuring Iran oil this point …

Worry for Indians residing in Qatar intensifies: Goa MP Naik writes to Sushma Swaraj
7 years, 9 months ago

Worry for Indians residing in Qatar intensifies: Goa MP Naik writes to Sushma Swaraj

Deccan Chronicle  

Panaji: Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik has asked Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to protect the interests of Indians in Qatar. "Around 6,50,000 Indians, including 10,000 Goans are living and doing business in Qatar, who according to a report, outnumber native Qataris by almost 2:1 ratio, their interest should be protected," Naik said in an email to Swaraj this …

India-UAE likely to ink 16 pacts; investment, oil and IT top agenda
9 years, 1 month ago

India-UAE likely to ink 16 pacts; investment, oil and IT top agenda

India TV News  

New Delhi: At least 16 pacts in a wide range of sectors like nuclear energy, oil, information technology, aerospace and railways, facilitating billions of dollars of investment by UAE in India, are likely to be inked during Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayad Al Nahayan's visit today. Ways to contain radicalism, stepping up counter-terrorism cooperation and dealing …

India, UAE to set up joint business council
9 years, 6 months ago

India, UAE to set up joint business council

India TV News  

New Delhi: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE last month, India's historic ties with the Gulf nation are poised to go to a new level with the setting up of a joint business council later on Thursday. "India and the UAE will sign an agreement later in the day for setting up a joint business council for …

PM Modi wants UAE to become top trade partner of India
9 years, 7 months ago

PM Modi wants UAE to become top trade partner of India

India TV News  

Abu Dhabi: Ahead of his talks with the Emirati leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the Gulf region is vital for India's economic, energy and security interests and he wants to see the UAE as the foremost partner in trade and countering terrorism. Noting that both India and UAE have a range of common security and strategic concerns in …

India invites Arab States to benefit from 'Make in India', invest in infrastructure
10 years, 4 months ago

India invites Arab States to benefit from 'Make in India', invest in infrastructure

Firstpost  

India has invited members of the 22-nation League of Arab States to invest in the country, notably in the infrastructure space. New Delhi: India has invited members of the 22-nation League of Arab States to invest in the country, notably in the infrastructure space, while also calling upon them to benefit from the ‘Make in India’ programme of Prime Minister …

'India keen to build bridges with Arab world without interference'
10 years, 7 months ago

'India keen to build bridges with Arab world without interference'

The Hindu  

New Delhi on Thursday put to rest “conflicting interpretations” of its stand on the Israel-Gaza conflict, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj reiterating that India’s policy continues to be of extending “strong support to the Palestinian cause, while maintaining good relations with Israel.”. “Being a long-standing partner of the Arab world, we in India are also deeply concerned with the …

Sushma Swaraj expresses concern over violence in various Gulf countries
10 years, 7 months ago

Sushma Swaraj expresses concern over violence in various Gulf countries

Firstpost  

Amid escalation in violence in a number of Gulf countries, India today expressed deep concern over the rise of fanaticism, extremism and terrorism in parts of the Arab region, saying they are tearing apart the fabric of societies as well as affecting regional stability. New Delhi: Amid escalation in violence in a number of Gulf countries, India today expressed deep …

India sure oil supplies will continue
10 years, 9 months ago

India sure oil supplies will continue

The Hindu  

The situation in Iraq has not set off alarm bells in India yet. Officials do not anticipate imminent disruptions to oil supplies from the West Asian state, which holds the second largest oil reserves in the world. Earlier, Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram told presspersons that there were reasons to hope that the “Iraqi crisis will blow over.” The sources pointed …

The slavery of Gulf workers: Why we don't give a damn!
12 years, 9 months ago

The slavery of Gulf workers: Why we don't give a damn!

Firstpost  

Gulf countries treat Indians like modern-day slaves, and yet this situation provokes little outrage. It’s hardly news that far too many Indian workers in the Gulf are subject to horrific working and living conditions. Those Gulf workers may be a wee bit embarrassing, but they’re the reason why Indian foreign remittances are the highest in the world. As a parting …

Gulf looks east, will invest billions in India
13 years, 2 months ago

Gulf looks east, will invest billions in India

Hindustan Times  

Despite the weakening rupee and falling Indian stock markets, Saudi Arabia and Qatar told New Delhi last month that they want to move some part of their investments from the West. What’s more, the Kuwait Investment Authority is planning to invest about $10 billion in the Indian economy and has already invested about $1.5 billion in India in the past …

Saudi Arabia a reliable partner: Manmohan
15 years, 1 month ago

Saudi Arabia a reliable partner: Manmohan

The Hindu  

Lauding Saudi Arabia’s valuable role as a “reliable partner” in meeting India’s energy needs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday said conditions were ripe for moving beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship to a comprehensive energy partnership. Acknowledging India’s vast needs for high quality modern infrastructure, the Prime Minister said India opened its doors to foreign investment and extended an invitation …

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