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Geo-political and Strategic development in west Asia and impact on india
Geopolitically, West Asia is the most important region of the world. The strategic geographical location of the West Asia has made the region from ancient times the centre of world focus among nations and Empires as they tried to control over the trade route to the east. West Asia is an area which is strategically situated at the junction of the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. In this way it commands the approaches of these continents. This centrally located region extends from Atlantic coast of North Africa to the Western edges of Central Asia and lies between the southern littoral of the Mediterranean and the north-western shores of the Indian Ocean. Because of its tricontinental location and its central position in the world island, the region has historically been cross road of the world.
The ‘Arab Spring’ of 2011 brought in its wake widespread instability characterized by mass protests, civil wars, widening sectarian schisms, the rise of violent extremism and deep uncertainty about the future of West Asia. The region, with which India Shares civilisation ties, has a special significance for India. It is a critical strategic and economic partner and hosts over 8 million Indians. Any instability in the region also impacts the global economy and geopolitics.
Since 1979, there has hardly been a day when West Asia has not found itself in the throes of serious political and/or economic crises. The year 1979 itself, marking the 1400th year of Islam in the Hijri calendar, witnessed the Islamic Revolution in Iran; the occupation of the Haram Sharif in Mecca; and then the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan at the end of the year. These events—cataclysmic in themselves—unleashed responses from regional and global players that continue to shape West Asian politics to this day.
Global Jihad: Al-Qaeda and ISIS
Here, the recruits were indoctrinated in jihad, trained in arms and subversion, given battle experience and, in some cases, also experienced martyrdom. More importantly, the jihad tasted victory against “godless Communism”, marking the first major Muslim victory against a Western power. Thus, Afghanistan became the nursery of global jihad—ironically, under state sponsorship—and spawned the world’s first transnational jihadi organisation, Al-Qaeda.
In June 2014, ISIS forces captured the town of Mosul, and then large swathes of territory across Iraq and Syria. Al Baghdadi proclaimed this territory to be the Islamic State (IS), which would be a “caliphate”, with him as the anointed caliph. Over the next two years, the IS had a “state” the size of the UK, a Population of about 6–8 million, a standing army of 100,000, a treasury with assets of about a trillion dollars, and most of the institutions of a proto-state.
The two transnational jihadi groups, Al-Qaeda and ISIS, draw their ideology and justifications for their world-view and conduct from Islamic sources, the Koran and the Hadith as well as the various commentaries of scholars over the centuries. Though the interpretations drawn by jihadi ideologues from these sources are disputed by mainstream Islamic scholars, many of whom question the scholarship of the jihadi intellectuals and their competence to represent the Muslim community at large, the fact remains that jihad does represent a major strand of contemporary political Islam.
The Oil Factor in West Asian Affairs
West Asian economics and politics are almost entirely dependent on oil revenues. These revenues provide not only the bulk of the Resources of the oil-producing countries, but also financial support to non-producers in the shape of aid and development assistance, and EMPLOYMENT for their citizens who then send Money home as Remittances.
Oil revenues have kept in place a “social contract” in the oil-producing monarchies in terms of which the ruling family provides the citizenry with security and welfare (for example, employment, educational and Health support, subsidies on essential goods and Services, etc.); and, in turn, the citizens owe their rulers loyalty and obedience. This social contract has worked well for over the last hundred years, and has remained in place despite serious political and economic crises, domestic and regional. In fact, oil revenues provided the Gulf Sheikhdoms with the resources to confront the challenges posed by the Arab Spring by giving their restive citizens doles and other economic benefits.
This comfortable arrangement could now be facing a serious threat. First, the global energy economy is experiencing some important changes. The demand for oil is going down in developed countries due to conservation, efficiency policies, and Climate change sensitivities. Second, the USA, till recently the world’s largest oil importer, has itself become a major producer with shale oil. Third, the global economic slowdown, China’s economic policies focusing on the Quality Of Life rather than manufacture, and lower Growth rates have significantly reduced the demand for oil imports. Finally, some Gulf Sheikhdoms led by Saudi Arabia, are embroiled in military conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and are making expensive purchases of military equipment at a time of severely declining revenues, putting even greater strain on their national exchequers
Impact on india
Indian Foreign Policy engagement in West Asia can be divided into two distinct phases, pre- and post-1991. Prior to 1991 India’s engagement with the region was one of “political distance,” save the heydays of Nasserism, on account of the dynamics of Cold War politics and the fact that India purchased the bulk of its hydrocarbons needs (15-25 percent) from Russia and had nothing substantial to offer to the Arab world: trade, goods, services, technology, or economic assistance. India’s relationship with Israel was frozen due to its pro-Arab and pro-Palestine position.
India’s engagement with the region began to increase and solidify in the early 1990s due to a multitude of factors: the end of the Cold War, the disintegration of Soviet Union, and India’s growing demand for oil and gas due to its accelerated Economic Development and propensity to acquire great power status fuelled by aggressive economic and political nationalism. This set of objectives drew India closer to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Israel — the very same countries around which Indian foreign policy in the region revolves today. Gradually, these countries, along with the United States, have become crucial in realizing India’s great power aspirations, as evidenced by the increasing frequency of visits of Indian leaders to these destinations — visits reciprocated by their counterparts.
Thus, Saudi Arabia not only offset the loss of supply of hydrocarbon products from the erstwhile Soviet Union but also met the Indian market’s increasing demand. In fact, Saudi Arabia gradually emerged as India’s top supplier of crude oil (20%) until 2015, when it was marginally overtaken by Nigeria, as well as an important source of remittances ($8 billion). Israel quickly made inroads into the Indian defense sector, initially as a supplier of spare parts for the mostly Soviet-made Indian defense-related products and later as the third-largest arms supplier (after Russia and the U.S.) to the Indian defense Industry. Furthermore, within the Indian strategic community, Israel is increasingly regarded not just as a “strategic defense partner” but as a “model of counter-terrorism” whose lessons and experiences could be applied to the fight against cross-border terrorism in Kashmir.
Iran, too, occupies an important position in India’s strategic thinking, and for several reasons. First, Iran is a significant source of crude oil, accounting for 6 percent of India’s oil imports in 2015. Second, Iran borders the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passes. Third, Iran is poised to become India’s “gateway” to Central Asia, Europe and Russia as a result of the future construction of the Ports at Chabahar and Bandar Abbas and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Fourth, Iran is a valuable ally in the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Finally, Iran is an emerging regional power with wide-ranging influence in West Asia that could contribute to regional stability. It is for these reasons that India worked assiduously to sustain its relationship with Iran in the face of pressure by the U.S., Israel, and the G.C.C. countries regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
However, it is the G.C.C. countries, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which have come to occupy an increasingly important “political space” in Indian strategic thinking. The Gulf Arab states provide 50 percent of Indian crude oil and 85 percent of its natural gas requirements. Collectively, the G.C.C. countries have emerged as India’s largest trade partner. Bilateral trade with the G.C.C. countries reached $150 billion in 2016; trade with the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia accounted for $60 billion and $39 billion, respectively. In addition, the 7-8 million Indian expatriate workers in the G.C.C. countries generate more than $30 billion in remittances. India is also seeking to tap the G.C.C. countries’ sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) for its domestic Investment and infrastructural development.
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The geopolitics of West Asia is a complex and ever-changing landscape. The region is home to a number of major powers, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, as well as a number of smaller states. The region is also home to a number of important geopolitical issues, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, the IranâSaudi Arabia rivalry, and the Kurdish issue.
The Arab-Israeli conflict is one of the longest-running and most intractable conflicts in the world. The conflict dates back to the early 20th century, when the Ottoman Empire was dissolved and the British Mandate for Palestine was established. The conflict has been marked by violence, war, and peace negotiations. The current status quo is that Israel controls the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, while the Palestinians control the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. The two sides have been unable to reach a final peace agreement, and the conflict remains a major source of instability in the region.
The IranâSaudi Arabia rivalry is another major geopolitical issue in West Asia. The two countries are vying for influence in the region, and their rivalry has been exacerbated by the Syrian Civil War and the Yemeni Civil War. Iran is a Shia Muslim country, while Saudi Arabia is a Sunni Muslim country. The two countries have different political and Economic Systems, and they have different visions for the future of the region. The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a major source of instability in West Asia.
The Kurdish issue is another major geopolitical issue in West Asia. The Kurds are an ethnic group that live in a region that straddles the borders of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The Kurds have long sought to establish their own independent state, but they have been unsuccessful. The Kurdish issue is a major source of tension in the region, and it has been a factor in the Syrian Civil War and the Iraqi Civil War.
The geopolitics of West Asia is a complex and ever-changing landscape. The region is home to a number of major powers, as well as a number of important geopolitical issues. The Arab-Israeli conflict, the IranâSaudi Arabia rivalry, and the Kurdish issue are just some of the major issues that shape the geopolitics of West Asia.
The Arab-Israeli conflict is a long-running dispute between the Arab states and Israel. The conflict has its roots in the early 20th century, when the Ottoman Empire was dissolved and the British Mandate for Palestine was established. The conflict has been marked by violence, war, and peace negotiations. The current status quo is that Israel controls the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, while the Palestinians control the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank. The two sides have been unable to reach a final peace agreement, and the conflict remains a major source of instability in the region.
The IranâSaudi Arabia rivalry is a competition for influence in the Middle East between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The two countries are vying for control of the region’s oil resources, and they are also competing for influence over the Sunni and Shia Muslim communities in the region. The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been exacerbated by the Syrian Civil War and the Yemeni Civil War. Iran is a Shia Muslim country, while Saudi Arabia is a Sunni Muslim country. The two countries have different political and economic systems, and they have different visions for the future of the region. The rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a major source of instability in the Middle East.
The Kurdish issue is a conflict over the status of the Kurdish people. The Kurds are an ethnic group that live in a region that straddles the borders of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The Kurds have long sought to establish their own independent state, but they have been unsuccessful. The Kurdish issue is a major source of tension in the region, and it has been a factor in the Syrian Civil War and the Iraqi Civil War.
The geopolitics of West Asia is a complex and ever-changing landscape. The region is home to a number of major powers, as well as a number of important geopolitical issues. The Arab-Israeli conflict, the IranâSaudi Arabia rivalry, and the Kurdish issue are just some of the major issues that shape the geopolitics of West Asia.
What is West Asia?
West Asia is a region in the Middle East that includes the countries of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
What are the major geopolitical issues in West Asia?
The major geopolitical issues in West Asia include the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian Civil War, the rise of ISIS, and the Iran nuclear deal.
What is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a long-running dispute between Israel and the Palestinians over the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The conflict has its roots in the early 20th century, when the Ottoman Empire was dissolved and the British Mandate for Palestine was established. The conflict has been marked by violence, terrorism, and political instability.
What is the Syrian Civil War?
The Syrian Civil War is an ongoing civil war in Syria that began in 2011. The war has been fought between the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, and a number of rebel groups. The war has caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and thousands killed.
What is ISIS?
ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is a Sunni Islamist militant group that has been active in Iraq and Syria since 2014. ISIS has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Brussels attacks.
What is the Iran nuclear deal?
The Iran nuclear deal is an agreement between Iran and six world powers (the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) that was reached in 2015. The deal aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran. The deal has been controversial, with some critics arguing that it does not go far enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
What are the implications of the geopolitical issues in West Asia for the rest of the world?
The geopolitical issues in West Asia have far-reaching implications for the rest of the world. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a major source of instability in the region and has the potential to escalate into a wider conflict. The Syrian Civil War has created a humanitarian crisis and has allowed ISIS to flourish. The rise of ISIS has posed a threat to regional stability and has led to increased military intervention by the United States and its allies. The Iran nuclear deal is a major diplomatic achievement, but it has been controversial and its future is uncertain. The geopolitical issues in West Asia are complex and fluid, and they will continue to have a major impact on the rest of the world.
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The following is not a country in West Asia:
(A) Iran
(B) Iraq
(C) Afghanistan
(D) Pakistan -
The following is not a body of water in West Asia:
(A) Caspian Sea
(B) Mediterranean Sea
(C) Red Sea
(D) Black Sea -
The following is not a religion practiced in West Asia:
(A) Islam
(B) Christianity
(C) Judaism
(D) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism -
The following is not a language spoken in West Asia:
(A) Arabic
(B) Persian
(C) Turkish
(D) Chinese -
The following is not a major city in West Asia:
(A) Tehran
(B) Baghdad
(C) Damascus
(D) Tokyo -
The following is not a major oil producer in West Asia:
(A) Saudi Arabia
(B) Iran
(C) Iraq
(D) Canada -
The following is not a major conflict in West Asia:
(A) The Syrian Civil War
(B) The Iraq War
(C) The Israeli-Palestinian conflict
(D) The War in Afghanistan -
The following is not a major terrorist organization in West Asia:
(A) Al-Qaeda
(B) ISIS
(C) The Taliban
(D) The Shining Path -
The following is not a major natural resource in West Asia:
(A) Oil
(B) Natural gas
(C) Coal
(D) Gold -
The following is not a major economic sector in West Asia:
(A) Oil and gas
(B) agriculture
(C) Tourism
(D) Manufacturing