Saudi Arabia’s Quest for Strategic Autonomy
Context:
- Saudi Arabia is now drastically altering its course after lately pursuing an aggressive foreign policy in an effort to curb Iran, its loathed rival, and bolster its own supremacy in West Asia.
The shifting position of the Saudi government:
- It is seeking to modernise its domestic economy while simultaneously aiming to strike a balance between major powers, communicate with potential new enemies, and engage with established foes. West Asia may suffer greatly if Saudi Arabia’s ambition for independence in its foreign policy and its diplomatic attempts to stabilise the region are successful.
- For many years, Saudi Arabia’s dislike of Iran served as the primary driver of its foreign policy. As a result, there have been disputes amongst proxies everywhere.
- For instance, the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, the only state ally of Iran in West Asia, was financed and armed with the help of Saudi Arabia, its Gulf allies, Turkey, and the West.
- After the Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital Sana’a seized control of the city in 2014, the Saudis launched an ongoing bombing campaign there in 2015.
- In 2017, when Qatar surrounded its smaller neighbour, the Saudis made breaking ties with Iran a condition of their demands. The blockade against Qatar was, however, unsuccessfully lifted in 2021.
- Saudi Arabia announced a deal last month to normalise diplomatic ties with Iran following talks that were brokered by China. Following that, there were rumours that Moscow was acting as a mediator in talks between Saudi Arabia and Syria, which might lead to Syria’s re-admission to the Arab League prior to the upcoming summit, which was scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
- Earlier this week, a Saudi-Omani delegation travelled to Yemen to discuss with the Houthi rebels about creating a protracted ceasefire. All of these behaviours represent a substantial shift from the posture adopted by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman after rising to the Kingdom’s highest positions in 2017.
- Aggression is replaced by diplomacy, and stalwart allies make way for practical realignments. Saudi Arabia is attempting to create a balance between the US, which is its primary weaponry supplier, Russia, an OPEC-Plus partner, and China, the emerging regional power.
- From the Suez War through the Abraham Accords, the United States had taken part in essentially every key realignment in post-War West Asia, either by force or negotiations. But now, when China and Russia successfully broker talks between adversaries and Saudi Arabia, a reliable friend, tries to develop its own autonomy, the United States, despite having a sizable military presence in the region, is reduced to being a bystander.
India and Saudi Arabia’s relationship
Business Connections:
- India gets more than 18% of its crude oil needs from Saudi Arabia, making it the country’s fourth-largest trading partner behind China, the United States, and Japan.
- Another significant supplier of LPG to India is Saudi Arabia. The value of bilateral trade in FY22 was $29,28 billion USD.
- India imported US$22.65 billion worth of goods from Saudi Arabia while exporting US$6.63 billion worth of goods to that country.
Cultural encounters:
- India distinguished itself in 2018 by taking part as a “Guest of Honor” in the prestigious 32nd Saudi National Festival of History and Culture.
- Yoga was categorised as a “sports activity” in Saudi Arabia.
- The Haj pilgrimage is a significant part of bilateral ties.
Military exercise:
- AL MOHED Al-Hindi is the name of the first bilateral naval exercise between Saudi Arabia and India.
Diaspora:
- The roughly 2.2 million-strong Indian community is the largest expat population in the Kingdom.
Conclusion:
- India aspires to improve ties with all of the important regional countries in the Arabian Peninsula.
