India’s relations with the Persian Gulf countries are often viewed from a narrow prism of energy, economy, and expatriates. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, with New Delhi’s Neo-West Asia policy, the region has gained more interest in the strategic communities.
Emphasizing on the various aspects of security paradigm, this book covers both conventional and unconventional aspects of New Delhi’s overall security architecture with the Gulf region. It discusses the security dynamics that characterise the relationship between India and the Gulf nations. The subject matter in this book facilitates a holistic understanding of security paradigm in Indo-Gulf relations and provides a nuanced examination of the multifaceted aspects of security cooperation, challenges, and opportunities in this crucial geopolitical space.
Print edition not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan)
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Tables and Figures
1. Introduction
2. Historical Evolution in Relations: Civilisational Connect and Advent of Islam
3. Indo-Gulf Relations under British Raj
4. Relations Since 1947
5. 3Es: Building Blocks in the Relations
6. Era of Strategic Partnerships and Non-Conventional Cooperation
7. Adversarial Concerns
8. Conclusions
Index
Biography
Manjari Singh is Assistant Professor at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida, India. Previously she served as an Associate Fellow at Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Dr. Singh holds a doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University in West Asian/Middle Eastern Studies on Sustainable Development in Jordan. Her area of interest includes contemporary Middle East, India-Middle East relations, India-Gulf relations, India’s national security and sustainable development. She is a Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) Fellow.
“The Persian Gulf region, more commonly known within the country as the Gulf, has immense civilisational, cultural, political and economic importance to India. It is more important than any other regional group in terms of its geostrategic proximity and economic opportunities. For a long time, the bilateral relations remained transactional, with energy security, migrations and remittances playing a pivotal role. However, in recent years, through a host of robust political engagements and security partnerships, India has recognized and enhanced the importance of the region in its economic foreign policy calculations. Against this new paradigm shift, India and the Gulf: A Security Perspective is a timely contribution to the understanding of the emerging strategic dynamics between India and the Persian Gulf. I congratulate Dr. Manjari Singh for undertaking this seminal work and wish her more success in disseminating the understanding of a region most vital to India.”
— Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
“One of the most remarkable developments in Indian foreign policy over the last few years has been a dramatic evolution on India’s ties with the Gulf nations. Although civilisational in nature, the India-Gulf partnership had been struggling to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. But the last decade has made it possible for the two sides to reimagine the scale and scope of this important relationship. This book by an emerging scholar of the region encapsulates this evolution succinctly as it invites the readers to join this journey in which South Asia and the Gulf region are emerging as natural partners.”
— Professor Harsh V Pant, King’s College, London
“Author adroitly dives deep into the complex dynamic of the ever so volatile Persian Gulf region. A must read for a holistic and historic expanse of the Gulf.”
— Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, Former Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta
