What is the issue?
- India’s West Asia relations are no longer viewed through the Israel-Palestine prism.
- Other concerns like the Iran question are on the centre stage now.
What are the recent developments?
- Modi’s recent visit to Israel is suggested to be not based on the traditional Indian strategic thinking in West Asia which centred on Israel-Palestine issue.
- Since Iran's nuclear deal with Obama's US administration, insecurities among Tehran’s rivals has increased.
- The changing security landscape in the West Asia region is now largely pertaining to Iran.
- A new political order in West Asia is emerging, led assertively by Saudi Arabia that regards Iran as the existential threat.
- Essentially, Arab leaders can today live with their allies operating with the Israelis, but not with the Iranians.
- Iranian leadership is fully aware of these shifting dynamics.
What lies before India?
- India, on its part, looks to the region for its constantly expanding natural gas and crude oil thirst.
- Despite the recent changes, ties between India and Iran will not cease any time soon, but run on an independent track including the ongoing development of Chabahar Port.
- India now needs a concrete regional strategy beyond tactical visits.
Source: The Hindu
