Arab world is India’s all-weather friend

New Delhi: Ignoring the Arab connection by India implies looking askance at those who send remittances on such an impressive scale that help shore up this country’s balance of payments equation. Mostly these Indians are from the working class, unlike, say, the Indians living in North America.

Besides the traditional “civilisational” ties between India and the Arab world to which India has customarily drawn attention India looks to the Gulf Arabs for support in the security sector. Not long ago, Saudi Arabia handed over to India top-level Pakistan-trained terrorists hiding in that country on Pakistani passports.

Also read: Iraq crisis: No Arab policy, yet Centre seeks help

Trade volumes between India and the Gulf states are of a very high order. Incidentally, the bulk of Indian gold imports are from the UAE. For some years, India has looked upon the Gulf Arabs as a rich source of petrodollar investment, although it is yet to work adequately on that prospect.

Arab sources suggest that a reference to West Asia has never before been omitted from the President’s address. Since the Modi government had just taken over, the traditional address which is a signpost of government policy was followed with special keenness by the international community.

Not finding any mention to themselves in it has caused dismay among Arab diplomats and in the capitals they represent. A leading source said they would seek to enquire from the new government here if India’s policy landscape with regard to West Asia is about to undergo any changes.