India-UAE Relation / While Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have struck deals, India has struck profitable deals with the UAE

India-UAE Relations: A recent landmark defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has created geopolitical turmoil across the Middle East and South Asia. On Thursday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the agreement. Under this agreement, any attack on either country will be considered an attack on the other. This agreement comes after the recent Israeli attack on Qatar, to which Saudi Arabia made this strategic move in response.

This agreement provides Saudi Arabia with Pakistan's nuclear shield, strengthening its security position in the Middle East. In return, Saudi Arabia plans to invest extensively in Pakistan's railway, health, and energy sectors. This deal not only deepens the strategic partnership between the two countries but also impacts the regional balance of power, especially in the context of long-standing India-Pakistan tensions.

India and Pakistan have a long history of historical tensions and proxy wars. India has repeatedly carried out measures such as surgical strikes against Pakistan. Until now, Saudi Arabia had maintained a neutral stance in the India-Pakistan tensions, but this new agreement has raised questions about its position.

India-UAE: New Partnership in Space and Maritime Sectors

On the other hand, India is rapidly moving towards further strengthening its relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), another important country in the Middle East. On Thursday, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held a key meeting with the UAE's Foreign Minister, discussing cooperation and investment in the space and maritime sectors. The two countries already work together in energy and technology, and this new collaboration is expected to further deepen the relationship.

The UAE is a leader in the space and maritime sectors in the Middle East. It is the first Arab country to have more than 100 ongoing space projects, including a Mars mission. Furthermore, Dubai's Jebel Ali Port is the largest port in the Middle East, playing a vital role in trade through the Persian Gulf. This partnership with the UAE is important for India not only from an economic but also a strategic perspective.

Regional Influence and Future Prospects

An interesting parallel can be seen between the Saudi-Pakistan deal and India-UAE cooperation. While the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan agreement focuses on defense and nuclear security, India-UAE cooperation focuses on the technological and economic sectors. Both agreements reflect the emerging geopolitical dynamics between the Middle East and South Asia.

The UAE's participation in the Abraham Accords and its decision not to send senior leaders to the meeting in Doha during the Israeli attack on Qatar reflect its neutral and strategic foreign policy. For India, growing cooperation with the UAE could further strengthen its position in the Middle East.

In this changing landscape, India needs to formulate its strategy more carefully. To counter any potential risks arising from the Saudi-Pakistan deal, India will need to deepen its relations with the UAE and other friendly countries. Also, cooperation with the UAE in the space and maritime sectors can take India to new heights technologically and economically.