LOOK WEST POLICY OF INDIA

Background

• Adoption of the Look West policy reflects India's increased desire for engagement with its West Asian neighbours. 
• The Gulf region is important for India because of increased cooperation in the fields of trade, business, politics and security. 
• Several high-level visits have been exchanged and important agreements signed between the two sides on several issues. 
• Bilateral engagement has also gathered momentum because of similar perspectives on terrorism and piracy. 
• India's endeavours for deeper engagement with the region have been well accepted by the Gulf countries that realize India's potential as a large, stable, democratic country and an emerging political and economic power in Asia and the world.

cooperation

• India’s approach to engaging with West Asia establishes a common ground for cooperation. 
• The relations between India and West Asia rest on government-to-government (G-G), business-to-business (B-B), and people-to-people (P-P) contacts. 
• In May 2022, India and the United Arab Emirates signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to increase the bilateral between the two countries. 
• Similarly, India shares historical relations with Israel owing to its defence requirements. Saudi Arabia is another partner of India in West Asia, actively investing in the Jio platform of Reliance Industries. 

 The vision of global powers toward India

• The growth of India’s power and standing, and its active diplomacy can be seen in its renewed focus on the Middle East (West Asia).
• Acknowledging that India’s “footprint” in the region has been “relatively autonomous of strategic calculation,”
• Indian policymakers recognize the need to develop a holistic engagement strategy, one that seeks both to strengthen economic ties and to institutionalize long-term security cooperation.

Recent developments 

• I2U2 complements India’s Look West Policy as it strengthens its position in the region by collaborating with UAE and Israel on economic, oil, energy, and defence matters.
• Additionally, partnering with the US other than in the Indo-Pacific enhances Indo-US relations.

Importance of West

• India's interests and capabilities extend well beyond the subcontinent.

• The strategic location of the Middle East and India’s multiple linkages from the past to the present make it immensely important for India’s pursuit of power.
• The economic diversification drive in the region, mainly in the Gulf, is in sync with India’s vision of a Five trillion economy with mutually beneficial and reinforcing engagements.

India's interest in the west

Challenges

• India's absence in the Organization of Islamic countries.
• ASEAN and BIMSTEC are aiding India's footprint in Look east there is no such organization in the west where India shares regional platforms.
• Ideological, political and religious divisions in India over the Middle East have long complicated Delhi’s thinking of the region.  
• Instability in the region due to ISIS and western sanctions.  
• Growing rivalry between the Sunni Arabs and Shia Iran. 
• The obstructionist  policy of Pakistan to limit the presence of India

Need of the Hour

• At present, it is important to channel humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
• India should play a more active role in the region with a clear policy towards West Asia.
• We should think that West Asia security is India’s Security and India must contribute to the security of the west Asian region.
• India needs to have not just an act west Asia policy but rather an active west Asia policy.
• We need to have a multi-dimensional approach towards the region.” 

 Conclusion

• By attempting to forge strategic ties, India has expressed its desire to engage the Gulf region in all possible new sectors while, at the same time, strengthening the all-important energy and trade ties between the two.

For Prelims & Mains