India's Strategic Interests in West Asia: S Jaishankar Tackles Challenges in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria
S Jaishankar addresses challenges in West Asia, highlighting tensions from Gaza to Lebanon to Syria. Discussing India’s diplomatic role, economic interests, and security concerns, the External Affairs Minister speaks on Syria's conflict and India’s balancing act in the region.
As part of the 20th Manama Dialogue at Bahrain, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar brought up all the complex problems that arise for India in its strategic interest in the West Asian region. From Gaza to Lebanon and Syria, Jaishankar emphasized that one needs to be realistic as far as competing interests are present in all these conflict areas.
The rising tensions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, where claims of a regime change are now being made by the rebels in Syria, do pose significant diplomatic and security challenges for India. He acknowledged that India's diplomacy is intricately linked to regional security and prosperity. "We must address these challenges collectively and effectively," he stated, emphasizing the need for India to navigate through this complex geopolitical landscape.
He said, "In this evolving world, we see different combinations of countries working together on different issues." This is an inevitable reflection of the balance of power, especially with countries like Israel and Iran, where India is a crucial diplomatic player in the region. India is one of the few countries that retains communication links with both Israel and Iran, thus making it the perfect bridge between these long-time rivals.
The minister also spoke about the security issues created by the ongoing maritime conflicts in the Red Sea, especially those involving Houthi militants. Attacks on commercial shipping routes are causing disruptions in trade, raising insurance costs, and resulting in delays that affect global commerce, which in turn impacts India's trade interests.
Indeed, while India's economy nears the $4 trillion mark and its trade is going to double in this very decade, West Asia still remains an important zone of economic and strategic interests of India. Jaishankar pointed out how both interest and responsibility attach in ensuring the security risk of such instability and, indeed its consequent economic future as a result of that security threat.
As India continues to grow as a global economic powerhouse, its role in addressing the challenges of West Asia, from military conflicts to trade disruptions, becomes ever more vital. Jaishankar's remarks underline India's ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in a region fraught with tensions.
