Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'India rightly focuses on West Asia' that was published in Newsband

India rightly focuses on West Asia

New Delhi is laying its focus on West Asia in the coming year. This is clear from the high-profile visitors and visits planned for this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine and possibly Iran. Leaders from those countries and more are expected to come to Delhi as well. India is bidding for a place as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Hence this is not a region India can afford to take its eyes off.

The WANA (West Asia, North Africa) region is home to more than seven million Indians who account for more than half of all remittances to India, adding up to $70 billion. India’s energy dependence on the region is well known. The turmoil of the past few years in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen has unleashed untold sufferings on Indians working there. India had signed the landmark joint strategic vision document with the U.S. to monitor the South China Sea region to uphold international rule of law. The same logic would apply for India’s role in West Asia

India has to tread carefully and follow a diplomatic strategy to avoid any confrontation and maintain peace in West-Asia. Already, West Asia is simmering in discord and any little flare-up might jeopardise the global peace. Better sense should prevail with both countries for the benefit of mankind.

India cannot be a mute spectator in the developing situation. India has to get involved in the West Asian hotspot, and it also has a moral duty towards keeping peace apart from helping the warring parties which have traditionally had a millennia (and longer) friendly relationship with us. The resolution of the crisis before it becomes a full-fledged 'sectarian war' is important for us since we want to stop it before it singes us as well. As we are focussed on an economic trajectory, we need to do everything to cover the flanks as otherwise we would be unintentionally hit by these flare-ups.

We need to play a leading role in West Asia so as to retain our sphere of influence. As India becomes more powerful economically & militarily, there will be demands on its diplomacy too.