The continuing engagement of India with Saudi and Iran had let Pakistan worried about India’s new strategic relationships.
Why is Pakistan worried?
Saudi Arabia’s had sought the appointment of Pakistan’s ex-army chief as supreme commander to the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT).
Saudi Arabia made the announcement before consulting Pakistan.
This arbitrary decision by Saudi is due to Pakistan’s refusal to join Saudi led Yemen war last year.
In 2015-16, 50% of remittances to pakistan came from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This has been declined by 14% on the back drop of Pakistan’s refusal to join the war.
King of Saudi is also planning to visit India in 2017.
United States under Trump is expected to become less friendly to Pakistan.
This has forced Pakistan towards a resumption of relations with Russia via China.
How is India increasing its West Asia relationships?
Iran exports 16.5% of India’s crude oil, at times, free of transport cost, and built Chabahar port with Indian help.
The UAE is a preferred partner for the $75 billion infrastructure investment announced by India in 2016.
India is also planning to increase its crude imports from the UAE by 15%.
Indians outnumber Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia by arounf 40%.
These non-resident Indians remitted over $36 billion in 2015 (52 per cent of the total remittances to India).
Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) has an agreement with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for topping up one of the two caverns at the Mangalore Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) facility.
