India's relation with West Asia has acquired depth and diversity that can navigate geopolitical commitment. (10 marks, 150 words)

India's relation with West Asia has a civilizational component (ancient trade links) as well as strategic, economic and people to people relationship.

This gives the relationship depth to navigate geopolitical hurdles. Some aspects of relationship are —

1. India recently joined the New Quad-I2U2 (India, Israel, USA, UAE).

2. India depends on West Asia for energy security.

3. India has supported connectivity projects in West Asia, such as INSTC, Chabahar Port, TAPI pipeline.

4. West Asia relies upon India for food security.

Various relations have further strengthened defence, as well as technology transfer in various fields, eg - agriculture.

⇒ Some geopolitical hurdles being faced by this relationship are —

US sanctions on Iran, and total withdrawal from JCPOA.

Conflict within West Asia - Shia Iran vis Sunni Saudi Arabia, and Israel - Palestine conflict.

Recent domestic comments in India led to backlash in West Asian countries.

Pakistan has been using Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) as its mouthpiece for Kashmir issue.

India needs to de-hyphenate its relations within the area. Recent acquity of Dugm port in Oman, and west Asia's access to choke points (eg. Hormuz) make the area more important.

— GAURAV OJHA · AIR 204