Will India’s Renewed Focus on Syria Boost its Middle East Presence?
While it is true that India wants to boost its Middle East presence, it will be very cautious not to endanger its relations with other Arab partners such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
India and Syria have a longstanding history; however, the healthy relations took a back seat due to the Civil War during Bashar Assad’s regime. With his appearance at the Arab League Summit held this year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Middle Eastern countries are beginning to accept Assad once again.
India did not make a move until major players in the Middle East began accepting Assad’s control over Damascus. India has always been guarded in its decisions when it comes to the Middle East. New Delhi does not engage with countries ostracized by the majority.
Manjari Singh, an assistant professor at the Amity Institute of International Studies, said the following to DW:
“This has been India’s longtime policy in the region; it does not engage with countries, especially ones ostracized by the majority unless the regional players warm up to that country.”
For India, renewing ties with Syria is important because it will enhance New Delhi’s opportunity to boost its presence in the Middle East with security and strategic ties.
Singh, in her interview with DW, said:
“India’s investments will not only help Syria in infrastructural development but will also help it to participate in New Delhi’s global value chains. Another aspect is that the geostrategic location of Syria provides it a unique opportunity to raise its stakes in Indian investments.”
While India wishes to support Syria in its time of need, progress will be slow because of the massive destruction caused during the Civil War.
“In that context, any Indian efforts in reconstruction will not lead to immediate positive results. Similarly, it will have a bearing on Indian investments as well. This is the reason why India is basing its outreach to the country first through humanitarian efforts,” Singh added in her interview with DW.
While it is true that Washington wants to isolate Damascus, it will not want to interfere or upset India: its strategic partner.
Syria is also playing its card carefully because any miscalculation by Damascus will result in a precarious situation. India’s interest in Syria will also be hampered if Damascus disturbs the equilibrium in the Arab League.
We will explore more about India-Syria relations in another episode.
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