Modi’s
West Asian engagement is appreciated
Last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi had become
the first Indian PM to visit Israel; the Ramallah visit has come just weeks
after his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, visited India. Last year
India had voted at the UN General Assembly against U.S.
President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Modi reiterated India’s support for the
Palestinian cause and hoped that Palestine soon becomes a
sovereign and independent country in a peaceful atmosphere. Both sides also signed a number of
agreements for India-funded projects in the West Bank. India wants to maintain the
balance in its relationship with both Palestine and Israel. Israel is a source
of defence equipment and agricultural technology. But Israel also faces political isolation internationally over its
occupation of the Palestinian territories
So the Prime Minister’s visit to
Palestine took place against the backdrop of India’s deepening ties with
Israel. But India’s partnership with Israel is not at the expense of its
principled support for the Palestinian cause. India
Supports an independent Palestine with East
Jerusalem as its capital. India wants Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and
East Jerusalem
India’s West Asia engagement must focus on
strengthening its presence as an economic and security partner. While much
focus is often given to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, India’s ‘Look West’ policy
too is evolving rapidly. India’s voice is becoming an important one
in a region that is witnessing major power rivalries playing out. India’s
credentials as a “very respected country in the international arena” is
appreciated by Palestinians.
India signed six agreements worth around $50
million with the Palestinian Authority that include setting up of a super
speciality hospital in Beit Sahur, a centre for empowering women, procurement
of equipment and machinery for the National Printing Press and significant
investment in the education section. Mr. Abbas also conferred the ‘Grand Collar
of the State of Palestine’ on Mr. Modi in recognition of his key contribution
in promoting ties between India and Palestine.
Modi visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for
the second time in the last three years. Trade and economic ties are becoming
central to the India-UAE relationship.
Oman has been a long-standing partner of India
in West Asia, where Indians constitute the largest expatriate community. With
the Indian Ocean becoming a priority focus area for New Delhi, Oman’s
significance is likely to grow. India is attempting to check China’s expanding
footprint in the Indian Ocean Region.
India is likely to step up its military
presence in Oman. Naval cooperation has already been gaining momentum. Muscat
is giving berthing rights to Indian naval vessels to fight piracy. India and
Oman are
enhancing cooperation in the field of health, tourism and peaceful uses of
outer space.
The Prime Minister’s personal diplomacy has
indeed had a significant impact in galvanising bilateral relations. India’s
engagement with West Asia should now focus on an economic and security partner.
China and India, as two emerging powers, are
yet to articulate a clear road map for the region. Israel-Arab
rivalry and growing rivalry between the Sunni Arabs and Shia Iran are main
features of West Asia. India will have to be more pragmatic in its approach
towards the region.
The entire credit for India’s engagement with
West Asia should not only go to Modi but also those diplomats who support him
and do excellent job of providing input to Modi in foreign issues.
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