The Gulf region forms India’s ‘extended neighbourhood’ in the west and is significant for its energy security, counterterrorism, safety and welfare of Indian expatriates in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, and for maritime security in the Arabian Sea and Western Indian Ocean. Besides, there are geopolitical and strategic factors in South Asia, especially due to the turmoil and instability in AfPak region, which makes the Gulf and Middle East significant for India. Another important factor is foreign trade, investments, business and commerce wherein the Gulf is the top business partner of India. Accordingly, the Gulf has come to acquire a special place in India’s evolving international relations and foreign policy over the past decades.
Historical Ties
In the security and defence domains, India has longstanding relations with the Gulf region going back to the late 1990s and early 2000s wherein New Delhi gingerly sought cooperation focusing on maritime security in the Arabian Sea, prevention of organised crime, smuggling and terror financing, and also combating home-grown terror. Oman was the first regional country with which India developed collaboration in maritime domain and started joint naval exercise in 1993. India also gradually signed extradition treaties with the UAE (1999), Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman (2004) and Saudi Arabia (2008). Joint military exercises and port calls of Indian naval ships increased in the 2000s.
In the aftermath of the 26 November 2008 (26/11) Mumbai attacks, India expedited the process of improving security and counterterrorism cooperation with the regional countries. Meanwhile, memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on bilateral defence and security were signed with the Gulf States. Gradually, the cooperation expanded from discussions, exchange of ideas, port calls and occasional joint exercises to greater military-to-military engagements, regular bilateral exercises, intelligence sharing, combating terror financing and extradition of Indian fugitives.
Growing Defence Ties since 2014
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the security and defence sphere witnessed a greater emphasis. That it was backed by increased political visits and continued economic relations helped in giving an impetus to defence and security ties. Since 2014, India has focused on three regional countries – Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – so far as defence and security cooperation are concerned.
While building on the established ties, New Delhi and Muscat, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have not only expedited the process of security and defence engagements but have also expanded into newer areas. For example, India and UAE and Saudi Arabia have been collaborating and discussing cooperation in space exploration.
In March 2023, the CEO of Saudi Space Commission Mohammed bin Saud al-Tamimi led a Saudi delegation to India and held talks with Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Tamimi also met officials at NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a commercial arm of ISRO, and visited the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru.
There are also efforts towards greater military-to-military ties and joint exercises, research and training. With Oman too there is an emphasis on converting the maritime and military-to-military ties to more tangible aspects. Many Saudi officers have enrolled in courses offered in National Defence College, College of Defence Management and Defence Services Staff College. In defence manufacturing domain too there has been some progress.
Spurt in M2M Engagements
In recent months, there is a spurt in engagements with India participating in several joint exercises in the region. There has been frequent exchange of visits with each country. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh visited Oman to hold discussions and enhance bilateral cooperation in September 2021. In December 2020, General Manoj Mukund Naravane became the first Indian Chief of Army Staff General (CoAS) to visit Saudi Arabia. With the UAE, the defence and security relations have been more robust. General Naravane’s visit to the UAE in December 2020 led to talks on critical security and defence issues and explored the possibilities of tie-ups in a wide range of areas. In addition to the joint air force exercise, the Desert Flag, the two countries held the joint naval drill Zayed Talwar in August 2021 off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Regular Joint Exercises
Between 26 February and 16 March, Indian Navy participated in the International Maritime Exercise – Cutlass Express 2023 off the coast of Bahrain. This is the first time that the Indian Navy is participating in the multinational joint exercise IMEX organised by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the Arabian Gulf anchored by the US Naval Forces Central Command and US Navy Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. In 2022, Indian Navy participated in the IMEX as an observer. The Indian decision to join the CMF is an indication of India’s growing concern about maritime security in the Arabian Gulf.
In February 2023, INS Vela – a Kalvari Class Scorpene Submarine – visited port Salalah in Oman for testing operational readiness. As noted, India and Oman have a long standing maritime security cooperation which has been renewed from time-to-time including in May 2021. Accordingly, the Indian and Omani navies conduct the joint naval exercise Naseem al-Bahr and Oman has also granted Indian Navy docking facilities at the Duqm Port.
Besides, the Indian Air Force participated in joint air exercise Desert Flag VIII with its Emirati counterpart in March 2023. In February, Indian Air Force visited a Royal Saudi Air Base for the first time and the planning for the second Al-Mohed Al-Hind – India-Saudi joint naval exercise in May 2023 is underway.The fourth joint exercise between Indian and Omani armies—AlNagah IV—took place in Bikaner in August 2022. The sixth India-Oman joint air force exercise—Eastern Bridge-VI—was held in Jodhpur in February 2022. The 13th edition of Naseem Al-Bahr, the joint India-Oman naval exercise, took place off the coast of Oman in November 2022.
Strengthening Cooperation in Defence Trade
A key area where there is a greater emphasis in terms of bilateral collaborations is defence trade, sales and joint manufacturing. The commitment to aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence acquisition has led to the need to give a push to domestic private defence industry; this has emerged as a possible avenue for cooperation with Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE as well as with other Middle Eastern countries including Egypt. There is also a greater emphasis on self-reliance even in discussions with Israel which is a major supplier of defence and military equipment to India.
In 2022, when the UAE firm Caracal lost out on a mega deal to deliver close quarter battle carbines to Indian army due to emphasis on acquiring from Indian manufacturer, it tied up with an Indian company as part of ‘Make in India’ programme. Besides, Indian and regional defence and military officials have also been visiting the respective defence exhibitions as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in defence trade and manufacturing. Saudi Arabia’s Power for Defence Technology Company (PDTC) signed an agreement with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for collaboration in defence and aerospace technologies with the aim of introducing cutting-edge aerospace technologies and solutions in Saudi Arabia.
Indian navy and air force have also participated in the annual defence and naval exhibitions – International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) – held in Abu Dhabi. Officials from UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman have also participated in Aero India and Def Expo organised in India annually showcasing India’s prowess in defence technology and manufacturing. India and UAE have also been working towards greater cooperation in defence manufacturing and several rounds of talks and discussions have also taken place in this respect among officials and private enterprises based in the respective countries.
Conclusion
India’s relations with the Gulf region have evolved gradually and acquired pace since 2014. The increased threats from international terrorism to internal security of the countries and to maritime security in the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and Red Sea have been one of the major catalysts for India and the Gulf States to strengthen defence and security relations. Threats from non-state actors in the Middle East and instability in the AfPak too have contributed to improvements in defence ties. Additionally, there is now a greater emphasis on military-to-military ties to help in trust building and developing greater understanding on important issues as well as on operational areas. Given an emphasis on reducing external dependence for military acquisition in India as well as in the Gulf countries, there is now a serious effort to develop domestic defence industries and this has also opened up opportunities for collaboration in trade and manufacturing. The future of defence collaboration between India and Gulf countries, especially Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is brighter today than it was ever before.
–The writer teaches Middle East Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
