India-Persian Gulf Relations

From Transactional to Strategic Partnerships

Abstract

India's relations with the Gulf countries have been exceptionally significant since ancient times and are multifaceted. The two have maintained historical ties with each other in terms of trade, energy, security as well as a vast expatriate population. While the Indo-Gulf relations are dominated by energy cooperation, recent years have experienced a shift in their dynamics. Owing to Persian Gulf countries' quest to achieve Vision 2030 through economic diversification, Indo-Gulf relations have seen an expansion in other non-conventional areas such as security cooperation and strategic partnerships. India is not in a military alliance with any of the major powers, however, it shares close strategic and military relations with many major countries in the world. Owing to the growing stature of India and its clout at the global table, India started to build strategic partnerships with major countries such as France, Russia, Germany, and the US, etc., in 1997. It is noteworthy that India has extended its strategic partnerships with as many as four countries in the Gulf, namely, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE since 2003.  This shows that over a period of time the region holds immense significance for India's ascendance as a growing regional and global power.