Al-Arabiya, 3 April 2016 – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia is proving to be a balancing act on several fronts but is set to benefit both sides. An energy-dependent India has had strong trade relations with the GCC countries and also benefits from the huge remittances – estimated to be around $35 billion every year – sent by its estimated 6-7 million Indians working across the region.
Talmiz Ahmad, the former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and the UAE last year, says the importance of this visit can be viewed from the prism of a strategic vacuum that has taken place in the region.
“US has backed off from playing political or strategic role in the region and Europe is completely self-absorbed. Moreover, Asia has become the principal market for East Asian energy. All this builds the mutuality of interest between the two sides and calls for fresh ideas,” Ahmad told Al-Arabiya English. Ahmad, who makes a case for India to play a bigger role in the region, says New Delhi is well-placed to play a lead diplomatic role in bringing peace in the region.
In his interview to Arab News, Modi summed up his views on India’s relations with Saudi Arabia, going forward. “Building further on this strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia is one of the foreign policy priorities for our government. I personally believe that our strategic partnership is important for not only our two countries, but also for the peace, progress and stability in our regions and beyond,” he said.