Dr Md. Muddassir Quamar is Associate Fellow at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Click here for detailed profile.
The increased diplomatic activity in the Middle East (West Asia) with regional leaders engaging each other at various levels and forums, in spite of the continued regional power competition, ideological misgivings and threat perceptions, is a pleasing as well as a puzzling development. For India, this is an opportunity to enhance its diplomatic and economic engagements with the regional countries.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar’s Op-Ed article ‘Israel-UAE bonhomie and the changing dynamics in the Middle East’ was published on the Financial Express website on November 22, 2021.
The article discusses the growing Israel-UAE partnerships in a wide range of issues and underline that this signals that the two countries are emerging as the primary regional allies of the United States and are at the forefront of the changing regional dynamics creating new opportunities for partnership with emerging global powers including India.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar’s commentary ‘India and the Shifting Regional Landscape in West Asia’ was published in Financial Express Online on October 19, 2021.
Dr. Quamar discusses the significance of the quadrilateral meeting between the Foreign Ministers of India, Israel, UAE and the US during the ongoing visit of EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar to Israel.
The Baghdad Conference is significant for a variety of reasons including Iraq’s attempt to emerge as a regional mediator and reduce tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia on the one hand, and Turkey and Egypt–UAE, on the other. However, at the core of it, the event was aimed at reviving Iraq’s economic and political fortunes.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar’s commentary ‘New Vistas in Indo-Saudi Ties’ was broadcast by All India Radio (AIR) External Service Division on September 21, 2021.
The commentary underlines the significance of Saudi FM Prince Faisal Bin Farhan's recent visit to India towards overcoming the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 in bilateral commercial relations between India and Saudi Arabia.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar’s chapter ‘The ‘Islamic State' and Threats to India's National Security’ has been published in an edited volume ‘Facets of India's Security: Essays for C. Uday Bhaskar’, edited by Prof. P. R. Kumaraswamy and published by Routledge, London.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar’s Op-ed piece on ‘Prospects for India-Saudi Cooperation on Afghanistan’ has been published by Financial Express Online, on September 20, 2021.
The piece underlines the commonality of threat perceptions between India and Saudi Arabia vis-a-vis the revival of the Taliban regime. It argues that the two sides should work together for regional security and stability.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Md. Muddassir Quamar’s opinion piece “Grand Opportunity for India to ‘Act West’ in the Middle East” has been published by Raksha Anirveda on September 08, 2021.
The article discusses potential opportunities for India to partner with Israel and UAE in the wake of the Abraham Accords. It argues that India-Israel-UAE relationship has the potential to be the fulcrum for India’s ‘Act West’ policy with defence and security being among the key thrust areas where Israeli technology, UAE resources and Indian skilled workforce can come together.
The early reactions from Turkey and Iran underline their readiness to work with the Taliban to safeguard their interests and expand their regional influence. Both are also willing to work with other regional actors to mitigate traditional and non-traditional security threats emanating from Afghanistan.
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar’s short commentary on the implication of the Taliban takeover on geopolitics in the Southwest Asia region, titled ‘Taliban takeover and implications for Southwest Asia’ has been published in Financial Express on September 03, 2021.
India’s Opportunity in the Middle East
The increased diplomatic activity in the Middle East (West Asia) with regional leaders engaging each other at various levels and forums, in spite of the continued regional power competition, ideological misgivings and threat perceptions, is a pleasing as well as a puzzling development. For India, this is an opportunity to enhance its diplomatic and economic engagements with the regional countries.