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West Asia

West Asia

India-Oman WEST ASIA DIPLOMACY

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik is on an official visit to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held 'productive' talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, with a focus on expanding bilateral cooperation in the key areas of security, defence, trade and economy. The two sides also announced the third tranche of Oman-India investment fund worth USD 300 million (around Rs 2,500 crore) that would be used for channelising investment into the fastest growing sectors of the Indian economy. The fund was started as a 50:50 joint venture between the SBI and the Oman investment authority, with the first tranche of USD 100…

28 December, 2023 West Asia

India-Oman Strategic Dialogue

India-Oman Strategic Dialogue The eighth India-Oman strategic conversation took place in India, and both nations stressed the importance of working together to combat the threats posed by terrorism, terrorist propaganda, misuse of cyberspace, and new and emerging technology. The highlight of the dialogue: Numerous topics of shared interest were discussed, including bilateral strategic and security cooperation, defense, and regional security. The significance of maintaining maritime safety and security in the area was emphasized by both sides. The strategic conversation was emphasized by both parties as a key tool for fostering bilateral relations between India and Oman. Both parties emphasized the…

21 January, 2023 West Asia

India - Saudi Arabia Relations

India - Saudi Arabia Relations Recently, India and Saudi Arabia explored establishing a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in order to formally cooperate with one another in criminal case investigations. India has already signed MLATs with 45 nations and is currently negotiating MLATs with Germany and Italy. The only other nation except for Saudi Arabia without an MLAT or any other bilateral arrangement with India to assist such inquiries is Pakistan. What is MLAT? It is a mechanism through which nations work together to offer and obtain official assistance in the prevention, suppression, investigation, and prosecution of crime in order…

01 January, 2023 West Asia

Indo-Saudi Strategic Partnership   

Indo-Saudi Strategic Partnership    The Indian Minister for External Affairs ends his first official trip to Saudi Arabia. Image Source - Financial Express He reviewed all facets of bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and India during the visit and spoke about both local and global problems. Key Discussion Points Collaboration: The potential for shared progress, prosperity, stability, security, and development between India and Saudi Arabia exists. COVID: By providing oxygen supplies, Saudi Arabia was immensely helpful during the Covid-19 pandemic. Strategic Partnership Council between Saudi Arabia and India The Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation (PSSC) had its inaugural…

13 September, 2022 West Asia

I2U2 FOOD PARK

I2U2 FOOD PARK India will provide appropriate land for food parks across the county that will be built in collaboration with Israel, the United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates (home to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and host of COP28 in 2023 ) announced an investment of USD 2 billion to develop a series of integrated food parks in India with the help of the I2U2 grouping to address food security in South Asia and the Middle East. The decision was announced during the virtual summit held by the leaders of the…

15 July, 2022 West Asia

India’s stand over palestine

India’s stand over palestine India’s stand at UN At UN, India backed Palestine but without any reference to Jerusalem, borders At the United Nations Security Council on Sunday, India, a non-permanent member, reaffirmed its support for Palestine, but stopped short of making any direct reference to the status of Jerusalem or the future Israel-Palestine borders. T.S. Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said: “In conclusion, India reiterates its strong support for the just Palestinian cause and its unwavering commitment to the two-state solution.” Israel’s stand Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday tweeted the national flags of 25 countries,…

18 May, 2021 West Asia

Israel-Palestine war, 2021 (Gist)

Israel-Palestine war, 2021 (Gist) Introduction The ongoing violence in Jerusalem is a culmination of the tensions building up since the start of Ramzan in mid-April. Reason for the incitement When Israeli police set up barricades at the Damascus Gate, a main entrance to the occupied Old City, preventing Palestinians from gathering there, it led to clashes. Eviction of Palestinian families in an Arab neighbourhood of Jerusalem. Israeli police entered the Haram al-Sharif compound (Noble Sanctuary), which houses the Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, to disperse the protesters, injuring hundreds of Palestinians. A Jewish settlement agency has issued eviction notices…

11 May, 2021 West Asia

What Israel wants in Syria?

What Israel wants in Syria? Introduction Ten years since the outbreak of the crisis in Syria in 2011, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad seems to have won the civil war. Background of Assad’s victory over the civil war If in 2015, before the Russian intervention, Mr. Assad’s area of influence had shrunken to the largely Alawite-populated region stretching from Damascus to the Mediterranean coast, his troops now control most of Syria — except Idlib and the Kurdish territories. The Kurds enjoy autonomy in the border region with Turkey, but have bought a delicate peace with Damascus. In effect, Idlib,…

26 April, 2021 West Asia

Jordan's 100th Anniversary as a Kingdom

100th anniversary of the Kingdom of Jordan PM recently congratulated King Abdullah II on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Kingdom of Jordan. He emphasized the importance of the region and applauded Jordan as a powerful voice and a global symbol of moderation and inclusivity. He appreciated Aqaba Process has contributed to promoting coordination on regional peace and security. The Aqaba Process is an initiative by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to enhance global coordination and cooperation to counter-terrorism.  Recent Political Instability in Jordan The royal household in Jordan has recently seen intense drama, with the King’s…

15 April, 2021 West Asia

Vienna talks- USA and Iran

Vienna talks- USA and Iran Introduction U.S. and Iran should rebuild the lost trust and resolve the nuclear crisis before time runs out Vienna talks The Vienna talks between the remaining members of the Iran nuclear deal — China, Russia, the U.K., France, Germany and Iran — have raised hopes for the revival of the agreement from which then President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. in May 2018. After the initial round of talks, European and Iranian diplomats have said efforts to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the deal is officially called, are on “the…

13 April, 2021 West Asia

Suez Canal crisis- Past to Present

Suez Canal crisis- Past to Present Background 1967 closure: The last time the Suez Canal was closed for navigation was in 1967, after the Six-Day War between Israel and Arab nations broke out. 1956 war: Prior to that, the channel had been shut for less than a year during the Suez War of 1956 when Israel, France and Britain invaded Egypt. 2021 closure: What wars did in the past was done by a container ship now. M.V. Ever Given (Taiwanese merchant vessel) got stuck in a dust storm and strong winds on March 23 and ran aground in the channel…

29 March, 2021 West Asia

Turkey Withdraws from Istanbul Convention

Turkey Withdraws from Istanbul Convention Turkey withdraws from the Istanbul Convention - to combat violence against women. About Istanbul Convention: Istanbul Convention is also called the Council of Europe Convention. It aims towards preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The convention was adopted in 2011. It came into force in 2014. Once ratified the Convention is legally binding on the country. It is the first legally-binding instrument that creates a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women. As of March 2019, it has been signed by 45 countries and the European Union. About Council…

23 March, 2021 West Asia

West Asia-Labour reforms

West Asia-Labour reforms Introduction Not one of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states can cater to their labour market needs domestically. Their dependence on migration is only set to increase with fertility rates falling. Despite there being unemployment, the citizens of these countries are unlikely to step in and do the supposedly low-skilled, and definitely low-paid, jobs of the millions of migrants who work there. The reality in Qatar Qatar, the richest of the six countries in terms of per capita GDP, is the most dependent on migrant labour. Nationals count for less than 15% of the 2.6 million…

23 March, 2021 West Asia

Yemen Crisis: Saudi presented a peace initiative

Yemen Crisis: Saudi presented a peace initiative In the aftermath of the Yemen crisis, now Saudi Arabia presented a new peace initiative to end the war in Yemen, which would include a nationwide ceasefire under UN supervision and the reopening of air and sea links, the kingdom’s Foreign Minister said. The initiative includes the reopening of Sana'a airport and would allow fuel and food imports through Hodeidah port, both of which are controlled by Riyadh’s enemies, the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Political negotiations between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis would be restarted, said Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. “The initiative…

23 March, 2021 West Asia

USA and the West Asian policy

USA and the West Asian policy Recent issues between U.S and West Asia On February 25, the U.S. bombed facilities used by Iran-backed militias in Syria, in retaliation for a rocket attack at an American base in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan, earlier in the month, allegedly by pro-Iran Shia militants in Iraq. The next day, the administration released an intelligence report on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside Saudi Arabia’s Istanbul consulate on October 2, 2018, which concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the operation. Separately, the Biden administration has taken steps to…

19 March, 2021 West Asia

West Asia and Asian ties

West Asia and Asian ties Desert Flag exercise Other than India and the UAE, Bahrain, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United States are have participated in the Desert Flag exercise (6th edition). Prevailing situation in West Asia The sixth edition of Desert Flag this year takes place as tensions between Iran and the U.S. peak. Also added into the mix is the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020 between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, a more cordial and joint Arab-Israel dynamic predominantly designed to counter Tehran’s growing influence in the region, as seen through the wars…

13 March, 2021 West Asia

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action- Iran nuclear deal

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action- Iran nuclear deal Introduction US President Mr. Biden has consistently advocated a return to the JCPOA provided Iran returns to full compliance; Iran has always reiterated its commitment to the JCPOA maintaining that the steps it took are reversible as long as the United States lifts the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration since 2018. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action The JCPOA was the result of prolonged negotiations from 2013 and 2015 between Iran and P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, or the EU). It happened,…

02 March, 2021 West Asia

US-Saudi Relations- CIA report on murder of Khashoggi

US-Saudi Relations- CIA report on murder of Khashoggi Details of CIA report The declassified version of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report on journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder states “that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved [the] operation…to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.” It bases this conclusion on the evidence that the persons responsible for the crime were members of the security detail of the Crown Prince, who is popularly known as MBS, and reported to his close advisers. It argues that an operation of this nature could not have been conducted without his approval. A short-term…

01 March, 2021 West Asia

Endless war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen

The endless war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen Introduction The Biden administration’s decision to end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s Yemen war is a signal to Riyadh that the Trump-era open support it had enjoyed is a matter of the past. Background The U.S. offered support to Saudi Arabia’s campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen when Barack Obama was the President. Donald Trump continued that policy, overlooking the disastrous effects of the war that has turned Yemen, one of the poorest Arab countries, into a humanitarian catastrophe. Trump State Department designated the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, as…

15 February, 2021 West Asia

Analysis of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Analysis of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) On January 5, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met at the ancient town of Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia to end the bitter discord that three of its members — Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, along with Egypt — have had with their partner, Qatar. On June 5, 2017, the Arab Quartet, as they styled themselves, subjected Qatar to an onerous diplomatic boycott and a total land, sea and air embargo. They accused Qatar of destabilising the region with its support for Islamist groups. They then presented Qatar with 13 demands…

13 January, 2021 West Asia

Analysis of Qatar and GCC

Analysis of Qatar and GCC The Gulf reconciliation summit, in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, where the kingdom and its allies decided to end their blockade of Qatar, has brought to an end, for now, their long feud. In 2017, Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed the blockade and severed diplomatic ties, accusing the tiny Gulf country of supporting terrorism. They also issued 13 demands for it to be lifted, which included shutting down the Qatar-funded TV network, Al Jazeera, closing a Turkish military base and reducing diplomatic relations with…

12 January, 2021 West Asia

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Gulf leaders signed a “solidarity and stability” deal after leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar publicly embraced, bringing Doha back into the regional fold after a three-year-long rift. Saudi Arabia had led a coalition of countries in the Gulf and beyond to cut ties and transport links with Qatar in June 2017, charging that it was too close to Iran and backed radical Islamist groups — allegations that Doha denied. Those countries, along with Oman and Kuwait, which have mediated between the two sides, signed a deal in Al-Ula, after Riyadh overnight re-opened its land, sea…

06 January, 2021 West Asia

Crisis in Caucasus

Crisis in Caucasus: On Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh Context The ongoing fighting between Armenian rebels and the Azerbaijani Army in Nagorno-Karabakh, a self-declared republic within Azerbaijan, risks becoming a wider regional conflict. Ceasefire truce Though Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a Russia-mediated ceasefire last week after days of fighting, the truce crumbled immediately amid a blame game. Whatever the truth is, an emboldened Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, seems determined to press ahead with its offensive. Nagorno-Karabakh The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is decades old. The region, largely populated by ethnic Armenians, is located within the international boundaries of Azerbaijan. Under the…

14 October, 2020 West Asia

Ending conflict in the Caucasus

Ending conflict in the Caucasus Context: The military confrontation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. News: Given that the military confrontation has been raging on between Armenia and Azerbaijan there have been calls for a ceasefire. The Madrid Principles could be the starting point for ending the hostility between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) consisting of Russia, France and the U.S. had put forward in 2007 the Madrid Principles as a guiding principle for a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Madrid Principles provide for:  a prohibition on the use…

12 October, 2020 West Asia

India and the Abraham Accords

India and the Abraham Accords Abraham Accords: It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. The so-called “Abraham Accords”, announced by United States President Donald Trump, secures an Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank. Normalisation of ties: The formal normalisation of Israel’s ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain has…

22 September, 2020 West Asia

Targeting Hezbollah: On Israeli attacks in Lebanon

Targeting Hezbollah: On Israeli attacks in Lebanon Introduction The Israeli attacks on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon following what it called “cross border fires” mark a significant escalation in the crisis that has been building up along the border in recent years. Historical background: Hezbollah, a Shia militia-cum-political party in Lebanon, and Israel, which have fought two wars before, have been observing a tenuous ceasefire for 14 years. It is considered an Iranian-funded terrorist group by both Israel and the United States. Tensions began after Israel’s targeting of Iranian weapons and supplies within Syria. Israel fears that Iranian supplies to…

29 August, 2020 West Asia

Chora Museum 

Chora Museum  Context Recently, the Turkish President reconverted the Chora museum into a mosque. This is the second museum after Hagia Sophia to be converted into a mosque. Turkey has also found a new gas field in Black Sea. Chora Museum: It was built initially as a church in 534 AD, during the early Byzantine period. In the 11th century, its internal walls, pillars and domes were covered with mosaics and frescoes showing scenes from biblical stories. After the conquest of Constantinople (capital city of the Roman Empire) by the Ottomans (1453), the church was seized and turned into a…

22 August, 2020 West Asia

Troubled waters: on EU-Turkey relations

Troubled waters: on EU-Turkey relations Context Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean soared last week, with Turkey sending an exploration vessel, accompanied by a Navy fleet, to the disputed waters and France despatching warships to assist Greece. The trigger The trigger for the recent hostility between Turkey and Greece, which have historically shared troublesome relations, has been the discovery of gas in the Mediterranean waters. The EU’s plans to transport the gas to its mainland, which would help reduce its dependency on Russia, have raised the region’s geopolitical profile. Turkey and Greece have overlapping maritime claims. But when EU members and…

19 August, 2020 West Asia

Why has the Israel-UAE pact unsettled Palestine and Iran?

Why has the Israel-UAE pact unsettled Palestine and Iran? Context On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had reached a peace agreement. Many countries, including the European powers and India, have welcomed it, while the Palestinian leadership as well as Turkey and Iran have lashed out at the UAE. Abraham Accord: According to the joint statement, the UAE and Israel would establish formal diplomatic relations and in exchange, Israel would suspend its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. Now, as part of the agreement, Israel “will suspend declaring sovereignty…

16 August, 2020 West Asia

Abraham Accord

UAE, Israel reach an agreement to establish diplomatic ties Context: The United Arab Emirates has become the first Gulf Arab country to reach a deal on normalising relations with Israel The United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. The development caps years of discreet contact between the two countries in commerce and technology. The so-called “Abraham Agreement”, announced by United States President Donald Trump, secures an Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands…

14 August, 2020 West Asia

Beirut battered: On Lebanon blast

Beirut battered: On Lebanon blast Context The devastating blast in central Beirut on Tuesday that killed 135 people and wounded 4,000 has once again turned the spotlight on a city that had in the past survived civil wars, sectarian violence, foreign interventions and terrorist attacks. Reason for the blast While there is no dearth of conspiracy theories, the initial assessment of the government is that the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the Beirut port after it was confiscated from a cargo ship six…

06 August, 2020 West Asia

Kafala system

Kafala system The kafala system is an exploitative system used to monitor migrant labourers, working primarily in the construction and domestic sectors in Gulf Cooperation Council member states and a few neighbouring countries. The system requires all unskilled labourers to have an in-country sponsor, usually their employer, who is responsible for their visa and legal status. This practice has been criticised by human rights organizations for creating easy opportunities for the exploitation of workers, as many employers take away passports and abuse their workers with little chance of legal repercussions.  

29 July, 2020 West Asia

The South Asian-Gulf migrant crisis

The South Asian-Gulf migrant crisis By, S.Irudaya Rajan is Professor at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ginu Zacharia Oommen is a Member of the Kerala Public Service Commission Context In early July, the Kerala High Court issued notice to the Central and State governments on a petition seeking to set up a mechanism to assist NRIs who had lost their jobs abroad and had returned to India, to seek due compensation. The petition was initiated by Lawyers Beyond Borders, an international network of legal experts. It seeks the court’s intervention to reclaim unpaid salaries, residual arrears, retirement benefits,…

29 July, 2020 West Asia

Why is India out of the Chabahar rail project?

Why is India out of the Chabahar rail project? -   The inauguration of a track-laying project from Iran’s Chabahar port to Zahedan on the border with Afghanistan on July 7, has ensured that Chabahar is once again in the middle of a storm over the fate of India’s investment there. -   The port project along Iran’s southern coast in the Sistan-Baluchistan province has been a part of discussions between New Delhi and Tehran since their first agreement to develop it, in 2003. State-owned Ircon International Limited (IRCON) was associated with the rail project even as India acted quickly to develop…

19 July, 2020 West Asia

Iran ties need quiet diplomacy

Iran ties need quiet diplomacy By, Rakesh Sood is a former diplomat and currently Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation Context - Recent reports that Iran’s Transport and Urban Development Minister had launched the track laying programme for the 628 km long rail link between Chabahar and Zahidan last week sparked concerns that India was being excluded from the project. - Iran has since clarified that it is not the case and India could join the project at a later stage. This keeps the door open for Ircon International Limited (IRCON) which has been associated with the project even…

18 July, 2020 West Asia

Lost opportunity: On India losing Chabahar project

  Lost opportunity: On India losing Chabahar project Importance of Chabahar - Right from the beginning of its tenure, the government has underlined the geostrategic importance it attaches to the Chabahar port project. - The project, signed in 2003, has been a symbol of traditionally important India-Iran ties. - Connected by sea lanes to ports on India’s west coast, Chabahar would form the fulcrum of India’s outreach to Russia and Central Asia, enhancing connectivity, energy supplies and trade. - Given that Pakistan had blocked Indian aid to Afghanistan and all trade over land, Chabahar provided India an alternative to permanently…

15 July, 2020 West Asia

Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project

Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project, cites funding delay Four years after India and Iran signed an agreement to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan, the Iranian government has decided to proceed with the construction on its own, citing delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project. Last week, Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Eslami inaugurated the track-laying process for the 628 km Chabahar-Zahedan line, which will be extended to Zaranj across the border in Afghanistan. Iranian Railways will proceed without India’s assistance, using approximately $400…

14 July, 2020 West Asia

Should Kuwait’s draft expat bill worry India?

Should Kuwait’s draft expat bill worry India? Context * The Kuwait National Assembly (NA) is discussing several proposals to reduce the share of foreigners in the country’s population, which is now pegged at 70%. * There are many proposals under consideration, and one is to put caps on the number of emigrants in the country. In this, the plan is that Indians should not exceed 15% of Kuwaiti citizens, while Egyptians, Bangladeshis and Filipinos among others must not each exceed 10% of Kuwaitis. * The head of the Parliamentary Human Resources Development Committee, MP Khalil Al-Saleh, is pushing for a…

12 July, 2020 West Asia

In pandemic crisis, bridging the gulf with West Asia

In pandemic crisis, bridging the gulf with West Asia By, Navdeep Suri is Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Centre for New Economic Diplomacy, Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and former Indian Ambassador to the UAE and Egypt and High Commissioner to Australia. Kabir Taneja is Fellow, Strategic Studies Programme, ORF Context # As the world continues to collaborate in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic , the post-pandemic architecture may look drastically different from what we have been used to. # For India and its foreign policy, the West Asia/Gulf region holds a significant court for strategic, economic and even domestic…

16 June, 2020 West Asia

In Persian Gulf littoral, cooperative security is key

In Persian Gulf littoral, cooperative security is key Hamid Ansari is the former Vice-President of India, 2007-2017 GS- Paper-II West Asia India’s interests would be best served if stability in the region is ensured this way The United Nations defines this body of water as the Persian Gulf. The lands around it are shared by eight countries (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates)(PT SHOT), all members of the UN. There is a commonality of interest among them in being major producers of crude oil and natural gas, and thereby contributing critically to the…

08 June, 2020 West Asia

Vande Bharat Mission one of the largest evacuation mission

Vande Bharat Mission is one of the largest evacuation mission In one of the largest evacuation exercises named Vande Bharat Mission, the government will operate 64 flights between the 7th and 13th of May to bring home nearly 14,800 Indian nationals stranded abroad due to the Coronavirus lockdown. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said that preparations for the operation have commenced and also urged the stranded individuals to stay in touch with the Indian embassies in their countries. The 64 flights which will be operated include ten flights from UAE, seven each from Bangladesh, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and…

07 May, 2020 West Asia

India-Iran relations

India-Iran relations Syllabus subtopic: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Prelims and Mains focus: about the issue; about India-Iran relations News: India summoned the Iranian ambassador to the foreign office to protest remarks made by Iran’s foreign minister on the recent riots in the national capital.   Background In a rare rebuke to India, Iran’s foreign minister slammed the government for the riots in the national capital, which have claimed over 40 lives.   India has drawn criticism for the violent clashes in the national capital but Iran’s comments were unexpected given that…

04 March, 2020 West Asia

Arab Spring

Arab Spring Syllabus subtopic: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: on the Arab Spring and its features News: Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian leader who for nearly 30 years was the resolute face of stability in the Middle East, died on 25th February, ending his days after a swift and ignominious tumble from power in the Arab world’s pro-democracy upheaval. Though Tunisia’s president fell before him, the ouster of Mr. Mubarak was the more stunning collapse in the face of the Arab Spring shaking regimes across the Arab…

26 February, 2020 West Asia

Trump unveils West Asia plan

Trump unveils West Asia plan Syllabus subtopic: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: on the proposals in the west Asia plan and its implications; on the Israel- Palestine dispute   News: U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled the West Asia plan as part of a peace plan to end decades of conflict in the region.   What are Trump’s proposals? The US will recognise Israeli sovereignty over territory that Mr Trump's plan envisages being part of Israel. The plan includes a conceptual map that Mr Trump…

29 January, 2020 West Asia

Iran says it may pull out of NPT

Iran says it may pull out of NPT Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: about the NPT and its significance; about JCPOA News: Iran said on Monday it will consider withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) if a dispute over its atomic programme goes before the UN Security Council.   Background Britain, France and Germany launched a process last week charging Iran with failing to observe the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, a move that could eventually see the…

21 January, 2020 West Asia

Iran’s violation of nuclear deal

Iran’s violation of the nuclear deal Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: about the move by European countries to restrict Iran and its likely implications; about JCPOA   News: Britain, France and Germany ratcheted up pressure on Iran on Tuesday to cease its violations of a landmark nuclear deal, stressing that they want to resolve differences through talks while starting the clock on a process that could result in a so­called “snapback” of United Nations sanctions.   Context: The 2015 nuclear deal, known as the…

15 January, 2020 West Asia

Rising oil prices may hit Budget math

Rising oil prices may hit Budget math Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: on the geopolitical tensions between U.S. and Iran and their impact on India’s economy   News: The prices of crude oil constituting the Indian basket has been increasing since October and is likely to exceed $70 a barrel this month on escalating U.S.­ Iran tensions.   Background Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, was recently killed in a US strike at Baghdad International Airport. He was the long-serving head…

09 January, 2020 West Asia

What’s next in U.S.­Iran conflict?

What’s next in the U.S.­Iran conflict? Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: on the escalation in US-Iran tensions and its geopolitical implications   News: Five days after Major General Qassem Soleimani, the Qods Force chief, was killed in a U.S. air strike outside Baghdad airport, Iran on Wednesday launched ballistic missile attacks at American troops in two military bases in Iraq.     What did the attack achieve? President Donald Trump has said that there were no American casualties in the attacks on the Erbil…

09 January, 2020 West Asia

Economy braces for a crude shock after US airstrike kills Iran general

Economy braces for a crude shock after US airstrike kills Iran general Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: escalating US-Iran tensions and their impact on India’s economy   News: Investors in India were rattled on Friday after a US airstrike killed a top Iranian general, sending crude oil prices soaring, a development that could further strain the finances of the world’s third largest crude importer and deepen an economic slowdown.     Context: Crude oil futures in London and New York surged by more than…

04 January, 2020 West Asia

U.S. forces hit Iraqi Hezbollah bases

U.S. forces hit Iraqi Hezbollah bases Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: about the conflict in West Asia and its consequences for global geopolitics; about Hezbollah   News: The U.S. has bombed the headquarters of the Iran-backed Iraqi Hezbollah militant group in Iraq and Syria, the Pentagon said on Sunday, following a rocket attack in Iraq that killed an American civilian contractor.   Context: The attack was in response to repeated Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) attacks on Iraqi bases that host Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) coalition…

30 December, 2019 West Asia

India, Iran agree to accelerate Chabahar port development

India, and Iran agree to accelerate the Chabahar port development Syllabus subtopic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Prelims and Mains focus:  About the 19th India-Iran joint commission meeting; Chabahar port and its significance for India’s diplomacy   News: The External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif for a meeting of the 19th India­Iran joint commission, including talks on the Chabahar port, during a visit that could see him dealing with concerns of Indian expatriates over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as well.   Background The meeting of the…

23 December, 2019 West Asia

Qatar hopeful of ending rift with Saudi Arabia

Qatar hopeful of ending rift with Saudi Arabia Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: on the Qatar diplomatic crisis and the countries involved; related geographical locations; impact on India’s interest   News: Qatar’s Foreign Minister has voiced optimism over ending a bitter rift with Riyadh, saying early talks broke a “stalemate” but stressed Doha’s unwillingness to downgrade ties with Turkey as a pre­condition.   Background Saudi Arabia along with its allies the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut all diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar in…

17 December, 2019 West Asia

Iran nuclear deal parties meet in Vienna as accord nears collapse

Iran nuclear deal parties meet in Vienna as accord nears collapse Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. News: The signatories to the Iran nuclear deal stressed their commitment to the faltering accord during crunch talks in Vienna on Friday, as Tehran vowed to continue to breach limits on its nuclear programme.   Prelims and Mains focus: About Iran nuclear deal, US withdrawal from JCPOA and its impact on the world and India’s interests.   About the meet Envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and Iran took part in…

07 December, 2019 West Asia

Six European nations join Iran barter system

Six European nations join Iran's barter system Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. News: Paris, London and Berlin on Saturday welcomed six new European countries to the INSTAX barter mechanism   Prelims focus: about INSTEX barter mechanism, working and members Mains focus: the significance of the move, U.S-Iran issue and its impact on India’s trade with Iran and other aspects of the geopolitics   What is it? The Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX ) is designed to circumvent U.S. sanctions against trade with Iran by avoiding the…

02 December, 2019 West Asia

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL BETWEEN INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL BETWEEN INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA   CONTEXT: The Prime Minister of India visited Saudi Arabia from 28th- 29th October 2019. The visit was the second visit of the Prime Minister to the country in three years. NEWS : • India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council was formed to coordinate on strategically important issues. The council will be headed by the Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed and will meet every two years.  • India is the fourth country with which Saudi Arabia has formed such a strategic partnership, after the UK, France and China. • 12 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on issues related…

29 October, 2019 West Asia

LOOKING AT THE LARGER PICTURE

LOOKING AT THE LARGER PICTURE Context : India should not let the contentious issues dictate the overall tenor of bilateral relations Background: India's decision to put off PM Modi's visit to Turkey on the basis of Tukey's criticism over dilution of Article 370. This decision over foreign policy is a sign of knee-jerk diplomacy and also demonstrates a lack of familiarity with the Turkey's historical record on Kashmir. Relations between Pakistan and Turkey: 1. Both are members of Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO). 2. Both are members of ORCD ( Organisation for Regional Cooperation And Development) and also in Organisation of…

23 October, 2019 West Asia

A TURKISH MISADVENTURE

A TURKISH MISADVENTURE History : Ottoman Empire under the Khilafat ideology ruled the whole of West Asia along with Syria till World War I 1 with Istanbul as its capital. After World War I, Kemal Ataturk's Revolution transitioned from Ottoman Empire to a secular Turkish National identity Present Ideology of Erdogan: 1. Similar views like Ottoman's Khilafat.Reiterating Turkish Islamic rules (against Kemal's secular ideology). 2. Wanted to establish a buffer zone or safe zone up to 480 km wide and 35 km Deep till Rojava. Purpose: a. To shift Syrian refugees                  b. To…

16 October, 2019 West Asia

The policy way out.

The policy is way out. News India is in the middle of a sharp growth slowdown. The debate surrounding the slowdown is whether it is a cyclical downturn or a structural correction. Diagnosing the problem is key for devising policy responses. Slowdown Cyclical slowdowns can be dealt with using temporary fiscal and monetary stimulus. Structural problems require long-run policy responses. The slowdown is structural – Oil imports Most of the growth between 2014 and 2017 was sparked by a sharp increase in government spending. Given India’s oil imports, the decline in the world price of oil by almost $50 a…

12 October, 2019 West Asia

Seize the opening.

GS-II: Seize the opening. Context The spokesperson for Iran’s nuclear agency announced that the country had the ability to enrich uranium up to 20% and it had launched advanced centrifuge machines. Implications This further violates its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It is also an escalation of the brinkmanship since US President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018. JCPOA The 2015 JCPOA came into being after arduous negotiations. It placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme and removed the harsh economic sanctions on the country. Since the US’s withdrawal from the deal, the Trump…

04 October, 2019 West Asia

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