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Dr Md. Muddassir Quamar is Associate Fellow at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. He holds a Ph.D. in Middle East studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He has wider interest in domestic politics and foreign policy of Turkey and Saudi Arabia, politics and societies in the Arabian Gulf, political Islam, Middle East strategic affairs and India’s relations with the Middle East. Dr. Quamar is the author of Education System in Saudi Arabia: Of Change and Reforms (2021)and co-author India's Saudi Policy: Bridge to the Future (2019). His monograph Erdogan’s Turkey: Politics, Populism and Democratisation Dilemmas was published by MP-IDSA in July 2020. In addition to contributing numerous chapters for edited volumes, he has co-edited several books focussing on contemporary developments in the Middle East. Besides, over a dozen of his research papers have appeared in reputed international journals including Asian Affairs, Global Affairs, Strategic Analysis, India Quarterly, Contemporary Arab Affairs, Journal of Arabian Studies, Digest of Middle East Studies and Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. He regularly contributes opinion articles and commentaries on contemporary developments in the Middle East for Indian and international blogs and websites. Dr. Quamar has been a visiting fellow in King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Riyadh and serves as Associate Editor of Contemporary Review of the Middle East (Sage, India).
Two to Tango: Xi Jinping’s Visit to Riyadh
Xi’s visit to Riyadh builds on the strong economic engagements between China and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Partnership with the United States: Fraying at the Margins?
The strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the US withstood the test of time despite occasional challenges. Even as the US dependence on Gulf oil weaned, the partnership continued due to foreign policy convergences and the security nexus. The Arab Spring uprisings challenged the partnership leading to foreign policy divergences. While the US looked for reducing its regional commitments, the Kingdom diversified relations with emerging powers.
Socio-Economic Change in Saudi Arabia and Opportunities for Strengthening Indo-Saudi Relations
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md. Muddassir Quamar’s article, ‘Socio-Economic Change in Saudi Arabia and Opportunities for Strengthening Indo-Saudi Relations’, has been published by Financial Express on 23 November 2022.
China’s Growing Strategic Inroads in the Middle East and Challenges for India
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md Muddassir Quamar’s commentary on ‘China’s Growing Strategic Inroads in the Middle East and Challenges for India’, has been published by Raksha Anirveda on 23 November 2022.
The commentary underlines China's emergence as a strategic challenge for India and Indian interests in the MENA region considering China’s growing strategic foothold in the region. It argues, India needs to recalibrate its strategy in the MENA region to counter this emerging challenges effectively.
BOOK CHAPTER: India in the Gulf: Multialignment in the Shadow of Regional (In) Security)
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md Muddassir Quamar’s chapter ‘India in the Gulf: Multialignment in the Shadow of Regional (In)security)’ has been published as part of the Book, ‘Asian Perceptions of Gulf Security’, edited by Li-Chen Sim and Jonathan Fulton, and published by Routledge, London.
The chapter discusses the significance of the Gulf region for India within the context of India's multialigned foreign policy and regional insecurity emanating from domestic, regional and systemic events.
CO-AUTHORED BOOK: ‘Persian Gulf 2021-22: India's Relations with the Region’
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md. Muddassir Quamar’s co-authored book ‘Persian Gulf 2021-22: India's Relations with the Region’ has been published by Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore.
Netanyahu’s Challenge: Managing Contradictions at Home and Abroad
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md. Muddassir Quamar’s commentary ‘Netanyahu's Challenge: Managing Contradictions at Home and Abroad’ has been published by ISDP, Sweden on 14 November 2022.
The commentary discusses Benjamin Netanyahu's yet another comeback to power in Israel and the challenges he might face in managing the coalition and relations with the US.
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India-Egypt Defence and Security Cooperation: Prospects and Challenges
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md Muddassir Quamar’s Op-ed on ‘India-Egypt Defence and Security Cooperation: Prospects and Challenges’ has been published by Raksha Anirveda on 3 November 2022.
India and Egypt are gradually moving towards greater political, economic and security engagements. Given the global and regional geopolitical environment and India’s position as an emerging power, there are greater prospects for strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries, says Dr Quamar.
Iran Protests Challenge the Status Quo
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md Muddassir Quamar’s commentary ‘Iran Protests Challenge the Status Quo’ has been published in Financial Express on 02 November 2022.
The article discusses the ongoing protests in Iran in some detail contextualising it in the existing social and economic crises facing the Islamic Republic as well as its possible impact on the debate on women's rights in the country.
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Eastern Mediterranean: A Natural Gas Hub Worth Exploring
The Eastern Mediterranean offers India strong prospects for import of natural gas, given strong bilateral relations with regional countries, including Egypt, Israel, Greece and Cyprus.