India & Iran Ink Landmark Deal: 10-Year Chabahar Port Operation to Boost Regional Trade and Connectivity
India has recently signed a 10-year landmark deal with Iran to take over the Chabahar Port Operations, risking US economic sanctions.
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Middle East
FTA with Oman Likely: Catapulting Gulf-India Synergies
The India-Oman CEPA will give a significant boost to bilateral trade between both countries. It will help Oman achieve its objective of reducing its dependence upon oil. The Gulf nation, which is strategically located near the oil transit point of the Strait of Hormuz, is especially important for Indian businesses — since they can set up manufacturing facilities and leverage Oman’s location and other advantages for exports to other West Asian nations and Europe.
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Gulf’s Outreach to Africa: The Geoeconomics and Geostrategy of the Deepening Ties
Gulf-Africa Economic Dynamics is important to study as it will economically benefit and also provide alternatives beyond China and the US.
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Riyadh’s ‘Active Neutrality’ at Play: SCO, OPEC+ and Proposed Defence Deal with USA
In March 2023, Riyadh entered the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a dialogue partner. Saudi Arabia had also signed a Beijing-mediated agreement with Iran to resume diplomatic ties. The Gulf nation has played an important part along with Russia in the OPEC+ cuts in oil production much to the displeasure of Washington DC. Yet, in recent days, Saudi Arabia has been pushing for getting a defence pact with the US ratified before the US election of 2024.
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The Chinese Potential: Close Ties with Tehran, Dialing Down Israel-Palestine Tensions
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, urges Israel to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and ensure Chinese interests in Israel. Amid tensions following Hamas’s multi-pronged attack, China criticizes the killing of civilians but avoids condemning Hamas. As the conflict escalates, upcoming meetings between Wang Yi and US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, could present opportunities for dialogue. Despite increasing aggression from Iran, China’s influence in the Middle East could potentially help mitigate the situation.
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The Battle Royal: Israel-Hamas in a Jungle of Diplomatic Maneuvers
Israel-Hamas conflict has been marred by Diplomatic Maneuvers by world powers including USA, Russia, China, Iran, EU in previous fortnight. The article analyses the updates on the conflict as on October 23, 2023
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Israel-Palestine Conflict Dynamics in West Asia
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine marked a significant turn, with a surprise attack on Israel marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Arab-Israeli war. The violence, which has been consistent since post-WWII, escalated as Hamas launched over five thousand rockets at Israel. Despite international efforts, including the Cairo Summit for Peace, a resolution seems elusive. Accusations of Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and retaliatory violence add tension, while powerful countries attempt to exert influence and propose solutions.
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Israel-Hamas War: Gaza Hospital Attack, Biden’s Visit, Iran-USA Powerplay
The shifting global power equation combined with increasing advocacy for regional peace through a sovereign Palestinian state necessitates that the US rethink its global strategy. Tensions in Gaza are escalating, potentially leading to a large-scale conflict as Israel plans a comprehensive offensive against Hamas. Amidst growing fears of war and a worsening humanitarian crisis, there’s a pressing need for negotiating peace and ensuring timely humanitarian aid in the region.
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The Israel-Hamas War Brief
The October 7 Hamas attack is the deadliest offensive that Israel has experienced in 50 years, pushing it to declare “war” on Hamas.
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Saudi Arabia and UAE: Playing the Balancing Act
Two Gulf countries – Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) – have re-oriented their external relations significantly in recent years. The improvement in ties between both these Gulf countries, especially UAE, and Israel is a strong reiteration of the same. UAE along with Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan normalised ties with Israel via the Abraham accords signed in 2020. Even at a global level, not just the Middle East, both Saudi Arabia and UAE are trying to re-position their foreign policy. One important change has been the strengthening of UAE-China and Saudi Arabia-China relations, much to the discomfort of the US.
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