AMU faculty member speaks on India–West Asia relations

Aligarh : Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) faculty member from the Department of West Asian and North African Studies, Prof Mohammad Gulrez deliberated the geopolitical dimensions, economic ties, transnational networks, and other aspects of India’s links with the Middle East.

He was delivering the keynote address in the inaugural function of the online Interdisciplinary Refresher Course on ‘Post Arab Spring West Asia’ of the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

“West Asia is a part of India’s extended neighbourhood, both by the way of geographical proximity and as an area of expanded interests and growing Indian influence. Oil trade and remittances from Indian Diaspora in Arab countries, forms the basis of Indian engagement with the Arab world”, said Prof Gulrez.

He pointed out that India receives 42 per cent of its oil imports from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states—and an estimated eight million Indian nationals living and working in the Middle East make up the largest expatriate community in the region.

“West Asia is India’s largest regional-bloc trading partner and our relations with the region are currently diversifying into security and defence cooperation. India has a strong and growing stake in Gulf stability”, emphasised Prof Gulrez.

He added: “It is hoped that this course will explore a myriad of topics including governance, rule of law, citizenship and the role of civil society in creating new avenues in West Asia”.