Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s just concluded visit to Saudi Arabia has produced a joint statement which is unparalleled in terms of strong words and the space devoted to terrorism. The 2010 Riyadh Decoration is one up on the 2006 Delhi Decoration. It provides for an extradition treaty and also outlines an expansive security cooperation agenda. It emphasizes India’s positive engagement with Gulf Arabia. A couple of days before Modi arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the US slapped joint sanctions on the Lashkar-e-Taiba. This was of course meant to please India. But Saudi Arabia is also driven by enlightened self-interest. After the Arab Spring, Arab monarchies have become nervous about the changed security situation in the region.
Sunni extremism from the Islamic State and the rise of Shia Iran have struck a blow against a Saudi concerted move to fight the ISIS and al-Qaida. But the US joined hands with Iran to impair the strength of the Saudi combine in the name of human rights. Besides, the US is getting less dependent on Saudi Arabia and more on Iran for supply of oil. US ties with Iran strengthened especially after the nuclear energy deal with Tehran. There is space for India to re-enter the Gulf as a strategic and security partner. Both India and Saudi Arabia are committed to carry on war on terrorism in the Near East. India is also gradually overcoming its reservation about Saudi Arabia’s traditional cordial relationship with Pakistan. India’s attitude to the Taliban in Afghanistan is a help to its asserting its anti-terrorist role in the region.
