Straight Talk | Modi’s Saudi Reset: India Steps Up In A Multipolar West Asia

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s evolving engagement with Saudi Arabia signals a major diplomatic shift as India positions itself as a key player in a multipolar West Asia.

In recent years, India has moved beyond traditional oil-based ties with the Gulf region to focus on deeper strategic, economic, and cultural partnerships. Modi’s outreach to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially through high-level visits and joint initiatives, shows India’s intent to build long-term, forward-looking relations.

This reset also comes as regional dynamics shift. With the U.S. reducing its footprint and China becoming more active, India is stepping up—not just as a balancing force, but as a partner with its own strategic interests. Projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) further reflect India’s ambition to play a central role in West Asian connectivity and trade.

Modi’s approach is pragmatic and rooted in realpolitik. By nurturing ties with key players like Saudi Arabia while maintaining balanced relations across the region, India is asserting its place in a more complex, competitive geopolitical landscape.

In a world increasingly defined by multipolarity, India’s West Asia policy is no longer reactive—it’s proactive, strategic, and clearly here to stay.
*This news has been published on News 18 on 23rd April 2025