West Asia

About Centre

The West Asia Centre seeks to cover issues, themes and countries of the region which are undergoing rapid political transformation impacting the political and security situation of the region and beyond. Popular protests demanding political and economic reforms and the subsequent fall of some long ruling authoritarian rulers and the rise of Islamists to power have significantly changed the region’s political landscape. GCC-Iran rivalry, Shia-Sunni sectarian conflict, external intervention in the region, and the rise of religious radicalism have further aggravated the situation. The Centre is closely following the unfolding internal political developments in individual countries as well as the regional political scenario.

The historical shifts in the region and domestic political developments will have a significant impact on India’s external environment. With huge stakes in the region such as energy, trade and safety of Indian citizens in the region, it has become important for India to carefully watch developments taking place in its ‘extended neighbourhood.’ These and other related issues are being focused upon by the scholars at the Centre. The Centre continues to hold regular bilateral dialogues with some leading think tanks in West Asia thus facilitating exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Current projects being pursued in the Centre are:

Linking South and Central and West Asia: Transportation and Energy Cooperation
Political transformations in the Arab world and implications for India
Regional organisation in Gulf: The Gulf Cooperation Council
India-Arab relations and partnership
Iran’s domestic and foreign policies
India’s Engagement with Iran: Prospects and challenges.

The Arab Churning and Implications

For the Arabs, India’s caution, slow responses and long periods of situation assessments re-affirmed stereotypes about its inability to assume a leadership role in international affairs. However, given the volatility, the most effective way is to “think regionally but act bilaterally”.

P. Stobdan
March 20, 2013
IDSA Comments

Iran-Egypt Rapprochement: Compulsions and Realities

Along the short recent journey in discovery of friendly relations, Iran and Egypt have hit roadblocks that are not only ideological in nature but also illustrate their individual compulsions, conflicting national interests and complex regional dynamics.

Rajeev Agarwal
March 08, 2013
IDSA Comments

Patriots in Turkey

The Patriot deployments signify Turkey’s attempt to secure itself and its allies against touted missile threats from the two countries with which it shares borders to the east – Syria and Iran.

With Eyes Wide Shut: The Continuing and Inexplicable Pursuit of Regime Change

All that the western powers have achieved so far with regime change is to propel into powerful positions an assorted lot of Islamists as well as autocrats with medieval beliefs and a penchant for terrorism.

R. S. Kalha
January 23, 2013
IDSA Comments

Will Netanyahu’s Return Lead to Increased Israeli Isolation?

Going by Netanyahu’s present term, the return of a stronger Right Wing coalition may lead to increased friction in the region and increased Israeli isolation as well.

Rajeev Agarwal
January 19, 2013
Issue Brief

The Signs of Change in Syria

Signals from Russia, China and even Iran that it is time for Assad to go combined with domestic dissensions and defections signal that the regime is finally cracking up.

Rajeev Agarwal
December 24, 2012
IDSA Comments

Egypt in Crisis: Learning the Hard Lessons of Democracy

Egypt is realizing that democracy is not an easily procured fruit, especially in a nation where political movements have been suppressed for decades and peoples’ sentiments can be easily swayed either way.

Rajeev Agarwal
December 08, 2012
IDSA Comments

SINAI: The Middle East’s New Hot Spot

Since the revolution that toppled Mubarak, Sinai has become a no man’s land where jihadists from Egypt and Gaza as well as local Bedouins have begun to engage in militant activities.

Rajeev Agarwal
November 30, 2012
Issue Brief

“Peace” for Gaza: Lessons from Israel’s “brutish” stand-off with Hamas

Both sides appear to have wisely avoided a gruelling battle of attrition by opting for a tactical truce - not seemingly on account of a preference for peace but because of a pragmatic recognition of the futility of further conflict.

Abhijit Singh
November 26, 2012
IDSA Comments

The Gaza Escalation

With reports noting that the Israeli government had authorised the mobilisation of close to 75,000 reservists ahead of a possible ground invasion, international attention is currently focussed on preventing this possibility