BharatNotes Overview
India's engagement with the Middle East (West Asia), Africa, and Central Asia has transformed from historically transactional ties into multi-dimensional strategic partnerships. The Middle East remains critical for India's energy security (over 55% of crude oil imports) and the 9.7 million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf. Africa represents a growing frontier for development diplomacy and South-South cooperation. Central Asia offers connectivity and energy diversification through the SCO and the INSTC.
For UPSC, these regions appear in GS-II questions on bilateral relations, energy diplomacy, diaspora, and India's extended neighbourhood.
India and the Gulf (GCC Countries)
Overview of India-Gulf Ties
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| GCC members | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman |
| Indian diaspora | Approximately 9.7 million Indians in the Gulf (2024 MEA/Ministry of External Affairs data); largest expatriate community in the UAE |
| Remittances | Gulf-based Indians sent approximately USD 47 billion in remittances to India in 2024 |
| Energy dependence | Over 55% of India's crude oil imports transit the Strait of Hormuz; Gulf states are India's largest oil suppliers |
India-UAE Relations
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| CEPA (2022) | Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed 18 February 2022; in force 1 May 2022; India's first major bilateral FTA since 2011 |
| Trade target | Original: US$100 billion (5-year target) — achieved in FY2024-25, 5 years early; new target: US$200 billion by 2032 (set 2026 summit) |
| Trade performance | FY2024-25: US$100.05 billion (+19.6% YoY; India exports $36.63B; UAE imports to India $63.42B); FY2025-26: US$101.25 billion (India exports $37.36B; UAE exports to India $63.89B); UAE is India's 3rd-largest trading partner |
| Tariff concessions | UAE gave duty-free access on 97% of India's tariff lines; India on ~80% |
| Indian diaspora | ~4.3 million Indians in UAE — the largest Indian diaspora community in a single country |
| Defence cooperation | Joint military exercises (Desert Eagle); UAE is a defence procurement partner |
| UPI linkage | India's UPI linked with UAE's payment systems; rupee-dirham trade settlement |
| Investments | Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Mubadala have made significant investments in Indian infrastructure and startups |
| Real estate | Over 35,000 Indians own approximately 69,000 properties in the UAE, ~20% of Dubai's real estate |
| Modi's UAE visit (May 2026) | PM Modi visited Abu Dhabi on 15 May 2026; UAE committed USD 5 billion in fresh investment; 7 agreements signed covering oil storage, LPG offtake, defence, a sovereign-grade AI cluster, shipbuilding, and co-investment (MEA PIB, May 2026) |
India-Saudi Arabia Relations
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Strategic Partnership | Elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2010 during PM Manmohan Singh's visit |
| Delhi Declaration (2016) | PM Modi's visit — oil cooperation, counter-terrorism, investment |
| Strategic Partnership Council | Established during Saudi Crown Prince MBS's India visit in 2019; Saudi Arabia announced $100 billion investment plans across refinery, infrastructure, technology |
| Oil imports | Saudi Arabia supplies ~11–15% of India's crude oil imports (Iraq is the largest at ~20–24%) |
| Saudi Vision 2030 alignment | Aligns with "Make in India" — potential for investment in refining, chemicals, renewable energy |
| ARAMCO-Reliance | Saudi Aramco sought a 20% stake in Reliance Industries' O2C (Oil-to-Chemicals) business — deal under negotiation |
| Hajj | Saudi Arabia accommodates ~1.75 lakh Indian Hajj pilgrims annually |
| Defence | First joint naval exercise (Al-Mohed Al-Hindi) conducted in 2021 |
| Bilateral trade | USD 41.88 billion (FY 2024-25; India exports USD 11.76B; imports USD 30.12B); Saudi Arabia is India's 5th-largest trading partner and India is Saudi Arabia's 2nd-largest trade partner |
| Diaspora | ~2.65 million Indians in Saudi Arabia — largest source of Gulf remittances |
I2U2 Group
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Members | India, Israel, United Arab Emirates, United States |
| Also called | Middle Eastern Quad or Western Quad |
| Formed | Ministerial-level call in October 2021; first Leaders' Summit on 14 July 2022 |
| Focus areas | Water, energy, transportation, space, health, food security, and technology |
| Key projects | UAE's USD 2 billion investment in integrated food parks across India; hybrid renewable energy project in Gujarat |
India-Qatar Relations
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| LNG imports | Qatar is one of India's largest LNG suppliers (Petronet LNG long-term agreement) |
| Diaspora | ~830,000 Indians in Qatar |
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | Indian workers played a significant role in construction; India-Qatar held talks on worker welfare |
| Crisis (2023) | 8 former Indian Navy officers detained in Qatar on espionage charges; released in stages (2024) following diplomatic intervention |
India-Kuwait Relations
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Diaspora | ~1 million Indians in Kuwait — the largest expatriate community; remittances ~USD 4.5 billion annually |
| PM Modi's visit | December 21–22, 2024 — the first Indian PM visit to Kuwait in 43 years (last visit: Indira Gandhi, 1981); bilateral agreements on defence, trade, healthcare; Kuwait announced investment plans in India |
| Bilateral trade | Approximately USD 10 billion (FY 2023-24); India's 7th-largest oil supplier |
| Cultural ties | Gulf Spic (Kuwait's Indian Cultural Centre) is one of the largest Indian cultural bodies in the Gulf |
UPSC angle: PM Modi's Kuwait visit (December 21–22, 2024) — first Indian PM visit in 43 years — is a high-probability Prelims fact. The "43 years" figure (since Indira Gandhi's 1981 visit) is testable.
For Mains: I2U2 represents India's ability to engage simultaneously with Israel, the UAE, and the US in a single platform --- showcasing India's multi-alignment diplomacy. The group bypasses the traditional West Asian fault lines (Arab-Israeli, Sunni-Shia) by focusing on technology and economics rather than security.
India-Israel Relations
Evolution of Ties
| Milestone | Year | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Israel's establishment | 1948 | India recognised Israel in 1950 but did not establish full diplomatic relations |
| Full diplomatic relations | 29 January 1992 | Established under PM Narasimha Rao; a strategic shift away from India's earlier pro-Palestine stance |
| PM Modi's visit | 2017 | First Indian PM to visit Israel; upgraded ties significantly |
| Strategic Partnership | 2017 | Elevated to a Strategic Partnership during PM Modi's visit |
| October 7 Hamas attack | 2023 | India issued strong condemnation; called for restraint and humanitarian aid; India evacuated nationals under Operation Ajay (October 2023) |
| Special Strategic Partnership | 2026 | PM Modi's state visit to Israel, 25–26 February 2026 — first Indian PM to address the Knesset; 16 agreements + 11 joint initiatives signed (critical & emerging tech, cyber, labour mobility, agriculture); India-Israel ties elevated to "Special Strategic Partnership" (category shared with US, Russia, France, South Korea); commitment to deploy 50,000 Indian workers in Israel over 5 years |
Key Cooperation Areas
| Sector | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defence | Israel is one of India's top defence suppliers; Phalcon AWACS, Heron and Searcher-II drones, Harop loitering munitions, SPYDER air defence systems, Barak-8 missile (jointly developed) |
| Agriculture | 43 Centres of Excellence approved across India under the India-Israel Agricultural Action Plan; focus on horticulture, micro-irrigation, and beekeeping |
| Water technology | Drip irrigation technology, desalination, water recycling --- Israel's expertise addresses India's water challenges |
| Cybersecurity | Joint cooperation in cyber defence and digital security |
| Bilateral trade | USD 6.53 billion (FY 2023-24); declined in FY 2024-25 due to regional security situation and trade route disruption |
For Prelims: India established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992. The jointly developed Barak-8 missile system is a flagship defence cooperation project. Israel is a global leader in drip irrigation technology, and over 43 India-Israel Centres of Excellence operate in Indian agriculture.
India-Iran Relations
Key Dimensions
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chabahar Port | India signed a 10-year agreement (May 2024) to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar --- India's first overseas port management project |
| Investment | India Ports Global Limited to invest USD 370 million in equipment and infrastructure; India to provide USD 250 million loan |
| INSTC connection | Chabahar is the southern anchor of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), connecting India to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe |
| Oil trade | Iran was a major crude oil supplier to India; imports reduced sharply after US reimposition of sanctions (2018) |
| Strategic significance | Chabahar is India's counter to Pakistan's Gwadar port (Chinese-operated) and provides an alternative route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan |
INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Concept | 7,200 km multi-modal transport corridor connecting India's Arabian Sea coast to Russia's Baltic Sea coast |
| Route | Mumbai --- Chabahar (Iran) --- Bandar Abbas --- Tehran --- Baku (Azerbaijan) --- Astrakhan --- Moscow --- St. Petersburg |
| Advantages | Approximately 30% cheaper and 40% shorter than the traditional Suez Canal route; transit time of 25-30 days |
| Members | 13 member states including India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and others |
| India's role | India is developing Chabahar as the INSTC's southern hub and upgrading the Chabahar-Zahedan railway link |
India and Africa
Development Partnership
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| IAFS (India-Africa Forum Summit) | Three summits held: 2008 (New Delhi), 2011 (Addis Ababa), 2015 (New Delhi); IAFS-IV scheduled 28–31 May 2026 (New Delhi) — postponed 21 May 2026 due to Ebola outbreak in DRC; no new date fixed (May 2026) |
| Lines of Credit | India has extended over USD 12 billion in concessional lines of credit to African countries since 2008 |
| ITEC programme | Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation; trained over 26,000 African professionals in civilian and technical domains; training slots increased from 2,476 (2015) to 3,851 (2024) |
| Grants | Over USD 700 million in grants since 2008 for capacity building and infrastructure (cumulative as of 2024) |
| IAFS III pledge (2015) | India pledged USD 10 billion in new lines of credit and USD 600 million in grant assistance over five years |
Strategic Engagement
| Area | Detail |
|---|---|
| UN Peacekeeping | India is one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping in Africa (MONUSCO in Congo, UNMISS in South Sudan, MINURSO in Western Sahara) |
| Counter-terrorism | India conducts joint military exercises with several African nations; provides training and capacity building |
| Health diplomacy | India supplied COVID-19 vaccines (Vaccine Maitri) to 42 African countries; traditional medicine cooperation |
| Digital | Pan-African e-Network Project (now e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati) for tele-education and tele-medicine |
| AU membership | India supported the African Union's inclusion in the G20 (achieved at the New Delhi G20 Summit, September 2023) |
| UNSC reform | India and Africa share a common interest in UNSC reform --- both seek permanent seats (Africa through the Ezulwini Consensus) |
India-Africa Trade
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bilateral trade | USD 100+ billion (FY 2024-25) — milestone confirmed August 2025; India is Africa's 3rd-largest trading partner |
| Indian investment in Africa | Over USD 75 billion in cumulative investments |
| Key sectors | Energy, mining, IT, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and automotive |
| Indian diaspora | Approximately 3 million people of Indian origin across Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Uganda, Nigeria) |
For Mains: India-Africa relations are best framed around "development partnership without conditionalities" --- unlike Chinese BRI loans that often carry sovereignty implications. Highlight ITEC, Lines of Credit, and India's support for AU's G20 membership as evidence of India's South-South cooperation credentials. Contrast India's approach with China's debt-trap diplomacy narrative.
India and Central Asia
Strategic Framework
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Central Asian states | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| India-Central Asia Summit | First virtual summit held in January 2022; established India-Central Asia Secretariat in New Delhi |
| Connect Central Asia Policy | Announced in 2012; emphasises political, economic, security, and cultural engagement |
| Key challenges | Connectivity --- India has no direct land access to Central Asia (Pakistan blocks transit); energy cooperation; Afghanistan instability |
SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 in Shanghai (successor to the Shanghai Five, 1996) |
| Members (2025) | 10 --- China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran (2023), Belarus (2024) |
| India's membership | Observer since 2005; full member since June 2017 |
| Secretariat | Beijing |
| Focus | Regional security, counter-terrorism (RATS), economic cooperation, connectivity |
| India's role | India uses SCO as a platform for Central Asian engagement; however, India's interests often diverge from the China-Russia dominated agenda |
| 25th SCO Summit | Held in Tianjin, China (August-September 2025); PM Modi attended --- his first visit to China in seven years |
Connectivity to Central Asia
| Route | Detail |
|---|---|
| INSTC | India's primary connectivity route via Iran; Chabahar-Zahedan-Central Asia corridor |
| Chabahar-INSTC corridor | Bypasses Pakistan to reach Afghanistan and Central Asian markets |
| TAPI pipeline | Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline; progress stalled due to Afghanistan instability |
Gulf Indian Diaspora and Remittances
Scale of Indian Presence in GCC
| Country | Indian Population |
|---|---|
| UAE | ~4.3 million |
| Saudi Arabia | ~2.65 million |
| Kuwait | ~1.0 million |
| Qatar | ~830,000 |
| Oman | ~665,000 |
| Bahrain | ~350,000 |
| Total GCC | ~9.7 million |
Total Indians abroad: 35.4 million (world's largest diaspora). GCC accounts for ~27%.
Remittances
| Year | India's Total Remittances | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | US$118.7 billion (RBI survey) | India's total; GCC share ~38% (~US$45 billion) |
Key shift (2023-24): Advanced economies (US, UK, Singapore, Canada) overtook GCC countries in remittance share for the first time — reflecting increasing migration of skilled professionals to developed countries vs. semi-skilled/unskilled workers to Gulf.
India's Energy Security — West Asia Dependence
Crude Oil Import Profile (2023-24)
| Supplier | India's Import Share |
|---|---|
| Russia | ~36–41% (post-2022, became largest single supplier) |
| Iraq | ~20–24% |
| Saudi Arabia | ~11–15% |
| UAE | ~9–11% |
| GCC + West Asia total | ~46% (down from 63% in 2017) |
The Strait of Hormuz — through which ~45–50% of India's crude oil passes — remains a critical chokepoint for India's energy security.
India's Energy Strategy
- IEA Membership: India became a full member of the International Energy Agency in 2021
- Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR): India maintains ~5–9 days of crude oil reserves in three locations (Vishakhapatnam, Mangaluru, Padur)
- Diversification: Russia, US, Latin America as alternative suppliers
- Renewables: 500 GW target by 2030 reduces long-term oil demand
Abraham Accords (2020) — India's Perspective
The Abraham Accords (August–September 2020) normalised diplomatic relations between Israel and: UAE (August 2020), Bahrain (September 2020), Sudan and Morocco (October–December 2020).
India's perspective: India maintained studied neutrality; the normalisation benefited India as it reduced Israel-Gulf Arab tension, allowing India to maintain close ties with both simultaneously. The I2U2 grouping (formed 2021) was enabled in part by UAE-Israel normalisation.
Yemen and India
- Yemen civil war (since 2015): Houthi rebels (Iran-backed) vs. Saudi-led coalition
- Operation Raahat (April 2015): India evacuated ~4,741 Indians and 960 foreign nationals from Yemen
- Post-October 2023: Houthi attacks on Red Sea/Gulf of Aden shipping disrupted global trade; India deployed INS warships for anti-piracy patrolling
Diaspora Diplomacy
India's diaspora of approximately 35.4 million (Overseas Indian community) is one of its most significant soft power assets:
| Region | Estimated Numbers | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf/Middle East | ~9.7 million (GCC) | Largest concentration; remittances of ~USD 45 billion from GCC |
| Africa | ~3 million | Historically settled communities (South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius) |
| Central Asia | Small but growing | Primarily students, traders, and professionals |
For Prelims: India has approximately 9.7 million diaspora members in the Gulf (MEA, 2024). The first India-Central Asia Summit was held in January 2022. India became a full SCO member in 2017. The INSTC is 7,200 km long. India signed the Chabahar port 10-year agreement in May 2024. IAFS-IV (scheduled May 2026 New Delhi) was postponed due to Ebola in DRC.
IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announced | 9 September 2023, at the G20 New Delhi Summit |
| MoU signed by | India, USA, EU, France, Germany, Italy, UAE, Saudi Arabia |
| Route | India → UAE (sea) → Saudi Arabia → Jordan → Israel → Greece/Italy/France (sea) |
| Two wings | East Corridor (India to Arabian Gulf); North Corridor (Gulf to Europe) |
| Infrastructure | Railway network, ports, road, electric cable, hydrogen pipeline, high-speed data cable |
| Significance | India's connectivity alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) |
| Challenges | Israel-Gaza conflict (post-October 2023) raised near-term viability concerns; massive capital investment needed; complex multi-country coordination |
For Mains: IMEC represents India's most ambitious connectivity initiative in the Middle East. However, the Israel-Hamas conflict (October 2023 onwards) has delayed progress. For answer writing, discuss IMEC as both a counter to BRI and a practical connectivity solution, while acknowledging the geopolitical hurdles.
India-GCC FTA — Formal Negotiations Launched (February 2026)
After FTA talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council remained suspended since 2011, India and the GCC formally re-launched negotiations in February 2026:
- 5 February 2026: India and the GCC signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, for a comprehensive FTA
- 24–25 February 2026: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi signed a Joint Statement formally launching FTA negotiations covering goods, services, investments, rules of origin, and dispute settlement
- India-GCC bilateral trade: USD 178.56 billion in FY 2024-25 (15.3% CAGR over five years); India runs a USD 64.8 billion trade deficit with the GCC bloc
- Strategic objective: India seeks to narrow the trade deficit by expanding exports of engineering goods, electronics, IT/ITeS services, and pharmaceuticals
UPSC angle: India-GCC FTA negotiations formally relaunched February 2026 after a 15-year gap (suspended 2011) — high-frequency Prelims fact. The GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc (USD 178.56 billion, FY2024-25), surpassing the EU and China when counted as a bloc.
India's Look West Policy
Strategic Rationale
| Dimension | Detail |
|---|---|
| Energy security | India imports over 85% of its crude oil; the Gulf supplies the majority |
| Diaspora | ~9.7 million Indians in the Gulf (MEA, 2024); remittances ~USD 45 billion from GCC (FY 2023-24) |
| Defence | Growing military cooperation with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman; India has a naval logistics agreement with Oman (Duqm port access) |
| Counter-terrorism | Cooperation with Gulf states on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism; joint exercises |
| Food security | Gulf states invest in Indian agriculture and food processing for their own food security |
India's Balancing Act
| Challenge | India's Approach |
|---|---|
| Iran-Gulf rivalry | India maintains ties with both Iran (Chabahar) and Saudi Arabia/UAE (investment, defence); refuses to take sides |
| Israel-Palestine | India supports a two-state solution while maintaining strong bilateral ties with Israel |
| Arab-Israeli normalisation | India benefits from Abraham Accords normalisation (UAE-Israel, Bahrain-Israel); I2U2 is a direct outcome |
| China in the Gulf | Growing Chinese economic and military presence in the Gulf challenges India's traditional influence |
India and the African Union
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| India-AU partnership | India has been a longstanding supporter of African sovereignty and development; supported anti-colonial movements |
| G20 inclusion | India championed the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member of the G20 at the New Delhi Summit (September 2023) |
| UNSC reform | India and Africa share a common interest in expanding the UNSC; Africa demands at least two permanent seats (Ezulwini Consensus) |
| Vaccine Maitri | India supplied COVID-19 vaccines to 42 African countries under the Vaccine Maitri initiative |
India and Oman --- Defence and Maritime Cooperation
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bilateral access agreement | India has logistics access to Oman's Duqm port --- strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea |
| Joint exercises | Naseem Al-Bahr (naval), Eastern Bridge (air force), Al Najah (army) |
| Defence cooperation | India-Oman defence cooperation MoU; Oman is a key partner for India's maritime security in the western Indian Ocean |
| Indian diaspora | Approximately 6 lakh Indians in Oman |
Key Challenges in These Regions
| Region | Challenge |
|---|---|
| Middle East | Geopolitical instability (Israel-Hamas conflict, Iran-US tensions, Yemen crisis); China's growing economic presence in the Gulf |
| Africa | China's infrastructure dominance through BRI; India's Lines of Credit face implementation delays; security instability in Sahel region |
| Central Asia | Lack of direct connectivity (Pakistan blocks transit); Afghanistan instability; Russia-China dominance in SCO |
Mains Previous Year Question Themes
Common UPSC Mains themes on the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia:
- "Discuss India's energy diplomacy with the Gulf states and its implications for energy security."
- "Evaluate India's development partnership with Africa. How does it differ from China's approach?"
- "What is the significance of the Chabahar port and INSTC for India's connectivity strategy?"
- "Discuss India's relations with Israel and Palestine. How does India balance its ties?"
- "Examine the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening India's relations with the Gulf."
- "Discuss the challenges and opportunities of India-Central Asia relations through the SCO framework."
Key Terms for Quick Revision
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GCC | Gulf Cooperation Council --- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman |
| I2U2 | India, Israel, UAE, US grouping for tech and economic cooperation (2021) |
| CEPA | Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement --- India-UAE FTA signed 2022 |
| India-GCC FTA | FTA negotiations formally re-launched 24–25 February 2026 (terms of reference signed 5 Feb 2026); suspended since 2011; covers goods, services, investment; GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc (USD 178.56B, FY2024-25) |
| Chabahar | Iranian port operated by India under a 10-year agreement (2024); southern anchor of INSTC |
| INSTC | International North-South Transport Corridor --- 7,200 km multi-modal route from India to Russia via Iran |
| IAFS | India-Africa Forum Summit — three held (2008, 2011, 2015); fourth (IAFS-IV) scheduled May 2026 New Delhi, postponed due to Ebola in DRC |
| ITEC | Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme --- capacity building for developing countries |
| SCO | Shanghai Cooperation Organisation --- 10 members; India joined as full member in 2017 |
| Look West Policy | India's strategic outreach to the Gulf and Middle East, complementing the Act East Policy |
| TAPI | Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline --- proposed but stalled |
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
- UPSC Prelims 2017: With reference to the International North-South Transport Corridor, which countries are the original signatories? (Answer: India, Iran, Russia — signed in 2000)
- UPSC Prelims 2019: The Chabahar Port, which is being developed by India, is located in which country? (Answer: Iran)
- UPSC Prelims 2023: The I2U2 group comprises which of the following countries? (Answer: India, Israel, UAE, USA)
- UPSC Prelims 2024: With reference to IMEC announced at G20 New Delhi Summit in 2023, which of the following is NOT a participating party?
Mains
- UPSC Mains GS II 2015: "India needs to engage more proactively with the countries of West Asia. Discuss with special reference to energy security and the Indian diaspora." (15 marks)
- UPSC Mains GS II 2019: "The Chabahar port is a game-changer for India's connectivity with Central Asia and Afghanistan. Critically evaluate." (15 marks)
- UPSC Mains GS II 2022: "India-UAE CEPA 2022 is a landmark in India's trade diplomacy. Examine its key provisions and significance." (15 marks)
- UPSC Mains GS II 2023: "How does India balance its relationships with Israel and Arab countries, particularly in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict?" (15 marks)
- "Evaluate India's development partnership with Africa. How does it differ from China's approach?" (GS II pattern)
Cross-paper relevance
- GS2 (primary) — India-UAE CEPA 2022; India-Saudi Arabia investment framework; India-Israel ties; IMEC corridor; India-Africa Forum Summit; West Asia energy diplomacy
- GS3 — Energy imports from Gulf (oil, LNG); remittances from Gulf diaspora; IMEC as trade corridor; pharma exports to Africa
- GS4 (Ethics) — Balancing relations with Israel and Arab nations; diaspora welfare ethics (Indian workers in Gulf); development aid conditionality
- Essay — "India's Look West Policy: from diaspora to diplomacy"; "Africa and India: a partnership of equals?"
Recent Developments (2024–2026)
India-Saudi Arabia — USD 100 Billion Investment Framework (April 2025)
PM Modi's official visit to Jeddah in April 2025 yielded a landmark USD 100 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia spanning energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and defence. Both countries signed comprehensive MoUs covering these sectors. Bilateral trade in FY 2024–25 reached USD 41.88 billion (India's imports from Saudi Arabia: USD 30.12 billion; exports: USD 11.76 billion). Saudi Arabia is India's second-largest oil supplier. The visit also advanced cooperation on critical minerals and the India-Saudi Arabia undersea power cable project (1,700 km, estimated cost ₹47,000 crore).
UPSC angle: India-Saudi Arabia energy and investment ties are critical for GS-II (bilateral relations) and GS-III (energy security). The undersea power cable represents a new dimension in energy interdependence.
Israel-Gaza War — India's Evolving Position (2024–2025)
India condemned the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 as "barbaric terrorist attacks." Through 2024, India maintained a carefully calibrated position: expressing sympathy for Israeli civilian casualties while voting for humanitarian ceasefires at the UN General Assembly in several instances and abstaining on others. In April 2024, India abstained on a UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
The Israel-Gaza war severely strained the I2U2 framework (India-Israel-UAE-US), as Arab Gulf partners (UAE, Saudi Arabia) faced domestic and regional pressure over ties with Israel. PM Modi made a State Visit to Israel on February 25–26, 2026 — his second visit (the first was July 2017) and the first-ever Indian PM to address the Israeli Knesset. The visit elevated India-Israel ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership" (a category India shares with only the US, Russia, France, and South Korea). 27 bilateral outcomes were announced: 16 agreements and 11 joint initiatives spanning critical and emerging technologies, an Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence, labour mobility (50,000 Indian workers in Israel over 5 years), agriculture, and education. Modi's Knesset address — in which he stated "India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction" — marked a significant shift in India's public positioning. India also facilitated humanitarian assistance to Gaza through Jordan, maintaining its formal support for a two-state solution.
UPSC angle: India's Israel-Gaza balancing act is a high-priority Mains topic — India's position involves: (1) opposition to terrorism (support for Israel), (2) support for Palestinian statehood (pro-two-state solution), (3) humanitarian concerns (calls for ceasefire), and (4) protecting India-Arab Gulf relations and the large Indian diaspora in the Gulf (over 8 million).
IMEC — From Pause to Progress (2024–2026)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023, faced setbacks due to the Israel-Hamas war (which disrupted Israel's participation, a key IMEC transit node). However, the corridor regained momentum in 2025. PM Modi's February 2025 White House visit included a joint reaffirmation with President Trump of IMEC as a flagship connectivity initiative. Construction of key infrastructure components in Saudi Arabia and the UAE began in April 2025. India and the UAE formalised the Intergovernmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) for IMEC operation.
UPSC angle: IMEC route (India → UAE → Saudi Arabia → Jordan → Israel → Greece → EU), IMEC members (8: India, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Germany, Italy), and its comparison with BRI are high-frequency topics. The post-Gaza war challenges to IMEC viability are an important analytical dimension.
India-Africa — IAFS-IV Scheduled and Postponed; Trade Crosses USD 100 Billion
India-Africa bilateral trade crossed USD 100 billion in FY 2024-25 — confirmed by MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh (August 2025). PM Modi visited Nigeria in November 2024 — his first Africa visit after re-election — signing defence cooperation agreements.
The 4th India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) was finally scheduled for 28–31 May 2026 in New Delhi after an 11-year gap since IAFS-III (2015). It was organised around the theme "IA SPIRIT: India-Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation" and was set to deliver concrete outcomes on trade, critical minerals, and digital cooperation. However, on 21 May 2026, India and the African Union jointly announced a postponement due to an escalating Ebola outbreak in the DRC (600+ suspected cases, 139 deaths). No new date has been fixed. The 11-year gap between summits — during which China (FOCAC) and the EU held multiple summits with Africa — remains a key critique of India's Africa engagement.
UPSC angle: IAFS chronology (2008, 2011, 2015 — New Delhi, Addis Ababa, New Delhi) and IAFS-IV postponement (May 2026 Ebola/DRC) are high-probability Prelims facts. For Mains: frame the gap in terms of India's strategic loss vs. China/EU, and India's USD 100B trade milestone as a positive counter-narrative.
India-GCC FTA Negotiations Formally Relaunched (February 2026)
After 15 years (FTA talks were suspended in 2011), India and the Gulf Cooperation Council formally re-launched FTA negotiations in February 2026. The Terms of Reference were signed on 5 February 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, and a Joint Statement formally launched negotiations on 24–25 February 2026, co-signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi. The FTA will cover goods, services, investments, rules of origin, and dispute settlement. India-GCC bilateral trade reached USD 178.56 billion in FY 2024-25 (growing at 15.3% CAGR over five years) — the GCC is now India's largest trading partner bloc. India runs a significant trade deficit of USD 64.8 billion with the GCC, and the FTA aims to expand Indian exports of engineering goods, electronics, IT/ITeS services, and pharmaceuticals.
UPSC angle: India-GCC FTA re-launch (February 2026) is a high-probability Prelims 2027 fact. Frame it in Mains as India's Look West Policy in action — the GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc, energy source, and diaspora host. The 15-year gap since the 2011 suspension reflects the complexity of negotiating with a bloc spanning 6 countries with a USD 64.8B Indian trade deficit.
PM Modi's UAE Visit and USD 5 Billion Investment (May 2026)
PM Modi visited Abu Dhabi on 15 May 2026 — his most recent Gulf visit before the Quad FM Meeting. Abu Dhabi committed USD 5 billion in fresh investment into India, signing 7 bilateral agreements covering oil storage, LPG offtake, defence, a sovereign-grade AI cluster, shipbuilding, and co-investment. The visit came three months after India-UAE trade crossed USD 100 billion for the second consecutive year (FY 2025-26: USD 101.25 billion), and following the announcement of a revised bilateral trade target of USD 200 billion by 2032.
UPSC angle: Modi-UAE visit May 2026 (USD 5B investment, 7 agreements) and India-UAE trade milestone (USD 101.25B, FY2025-26 — two consecutive years above USD 100B) are Prelims 2027 facts. The new USD 200B target by 2032 is the updated bilateral ambition replacing the original USD 100B CEPA target.
India-Iran — Chabahar Port Development (2024)
India and Iran signed a 10-year agreement in May 2024 for the operation and development of Chabahar Port (Shahid Beheshti Terminal). This was a major step in India's connectivity strategy for Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. Chabahar provides India a maritime route through Iran to landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia, and is the western anchor of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). India has also received a US exemption from Iran sanctions specifically for Chabahar, though the broader US-Iran nuclear tensions continue to complicate the strategic picture.
UPSC angle: Chabahar — May 2024 10-year agreement, strategic importance (Afghanistan connectivity, INSTC link, bypass of Pakistan), US sanctions exemption — is a high-frequency prelims and mains topic.
Exam Strategy
For Mains Answer Writing: Middle East questions often appear alongside energy security or diaspora themes. Structure answers around three pillars: energy (oil imports, LNG), economy (trade, investments, remittances), and strategic (defence cooperation, I2U2, Chabahar). For Africa questions, emphasise India's "development partnership" model (ITEC, Lines of Credit, Vaccine Maitri) versus China's BRI approach. For Central Asia, focus on the connectivity challenge and the INSTC as India's solution.
For Prelims: Key facts include CEPA with UAE (signed Feb 2022, in force May 2022); UAE-India trade crossed USD 100B for two consecutive years (FY2024-25, FY2025-26); new trade target USD 200B by 2032; Modi-UAE visit (15 May 2026; USD 5B fresh investment; 7 agreements); India-GCC FTA negotiations formally relaunched 24–25 February 2026 (suspended since 2011; GCC = India's largest trading partner bloc USD 178.56B FY2024-25); I2U2 members (India, Israel, UAE, US); Chabahar agreement (May 2024, 10 years); INSTC length (7,200 km); IAFS summits (3 held: 2008, 2011, 2015; IAFS-IV scheduled May 2026 New Delhi — postponed due to Ebola in DRC); SCO members (10 as of 2025); India's full SCO membership year (2017); GCC members (6); India-Israel diplomatic relations established 1992; India-Israel elevated to "Special Strategic Partnership" (Feb 2026 visit); PM Modi — first Indian PM to address the Knesset (Feb 2026).
For current affairs on India's Middle East engagement, Africa partnerships, and Central Asia connectivity, visit Ujiyari.com.
Key Terms
India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)
- Definition: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a planned multi-modal ship-to-rail connectivity and economic-integration project, announced via a Memorandum of Understanding on 9 September 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, that aims to link India to Europe through the Arabian Gulf using sea routes, railways, electricity cables, a clean-hydrogen pipeline and high-speed data cables.
- Context: IMEC was unveiled during India's G20 presidency and is backed by the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). The MoU was signed by eight parties: India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union. It is widely read as a partner-led alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Implementation has been slowed since late 2023 by the Israel-Gaza war and wider West Asian instability, which stalled Saudi-Israel normalisation that the corridor's overland leg depends on.
- UPSC Relevance: IMEC is a high-yield GS2 (International Relations) topic covering India's connectivity diplomacy, the G20 New Delhi outcome, and India-West Asia-Europe ties. For Prelims, aspirants should know the signatories, the two-corridor structure (Eastern and Northern) and that it is not a treaty but an MoU. For Mains, it links to questions on India's neighbourhood and extended-neighbourhood policy, alternatives to the BRI, energy and digital connectivity, and the impact of West Asian geopolitics on infrastructure plans. This is a foundational current-affairs concept that underpins questions on the topic family of global supply chains, India's bilateral and plurilateral groupings (I2U2, G20) and economic statecraft. No verified direct PYQ exists for this exact term.
Chabahar Port
- Definition: Chabahar Port is a deep-water port on Iran's south-eastern Makran coast (Sistan-Baluchestan province), on the Gulf of Oman, that India is helping develop and operate to gain sea-road-rail access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.
- Context: Chabahar is the only Iranian port with direct access to the open Indian Ocean, lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz, and comprises two terminals — Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti. India's involvement deepened on 13 May 2024 when India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) and Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO) signed a 10-year contract to develop and operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal. The port is envisaged as a node of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), giving India a route to Russia and Europe that avoids the Suez Canal. Its future was clouded after the United States revoked the long-standing sanctions waiver, effective 29 September 2025.
- UPSC Relevance: Chabahar is a high-yield GS2 (International Relations) topic, central to India's neighbourhood and West/Central Asia policy and its connectivity strategy. For Prelims, candidates should fix its location (Gulf of Oman / Makran coast, NOT the Persian Gulf), distinguish it from Pakistan's Gwadar Port (Chinese-built, on the Arabian Sea ~170 km east), and link it to the INSTC. For Mains, it underpins answers on India bypassing Pakistan for Central Asian access, India-Iran ties, the impact of US sanctions on India's strategic autonomy, and connectivity as a counter to China's Belt and Road. This is a foundational concept — no direct standalone PYQ for the term, but it underpins recurring questions on the INSTC, India-Iran relations, and regional connectivity corridors.
