Why Delhi is building bridges with the Gulf

The changing global landscape—marked by a perceived rebalancing with the U.S., Russia's setbacks in Syria, and a weaker Iran juxtaposed with a stronger Israel—offers new opportunities for India's ties with GCC

- Ausaf Sayeed

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's recent visit to Kuwait, currently the chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with which India has been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement for the past several years, was significant in the bilateral context and its broader regional connotations. It reflected India's keen desire to expand and strengthen its multidimensional relationship with this vital region, which has traditionally been a dependable partner in India's quest for energy security and accounts for almost 35% of its oil and 70% of its gas imports.

GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc, with trade amounting to over $162 billion in FY 2023-24. Next comes the European Union (EU) with $135.31 billion and the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) with $120.88 billion. Over 8.8 million Indian citizens employed in the Gulf countries send over $40 billion in remittances, contributing significantly to India's economy.

India's outreach to the Gulf countries has significantly transformed over the years. From a relationship primarily focused on crude oil imports and labor exports with minimal political engagement, it has evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership encompassing increased security and defense cooperation. This transformation started when India began engaging with the Gulf in the early 2000s under its "Look West" policy, recognizing the region's growing economic and strategic importance. This further evolved into a more proactive and multi-aligned foreign policy under PM Modi, whose multiple visits to the region covering all countries in the Gulf and beyond further deepened India's strategic, economic, and cultural engagement with the entire West Asia. The Arab leaders responded by their high-level visits to India, thus showing mutual respect and collaboration.