**India Emerges as Major Player in the Middle East, US Overlooks Geopolitical Rise: Foreign Policy Magazine**
– India has become a major player in the Middle East over the past decade, but the US has largely overlooked its geopolitical rise due to its focus on China, according to an article in Foreign Policy magazine.
– The article highlights India’s deepening ties with major countries in the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reflecting the changing international order and the eagerness of these nations to benefit from the new multipolarity.
– The author argues that while the US may no longer be the dominant power in the region, India’s expanding presence prevents Russia and China from assuming that role.
– India’s ties with Israel are particularly well-developed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the first Indian leader to visit Israel in 2017. The Gulf countries, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are also actively seeking to expand relations with India, driven by common interests in containing Islamist extremism and economic opportunities.
– Saudi Arabia, India’s second-largest supplier of oil and gas, aims to strengthen the energy relationship further by including renewables. In a significant shift, India’s business community is now investing in Israel, with ongoing negotiations for an India-Israel Free Trade Agreement.
– The article acknowledges the complexities of the India-Israel relationship, as India remains supportive of the Palestinians and maintains friendly ties with Iran. However, it emphasizes the need to take India’s projection of power in the region seriously.
– The author suggests that India’s growing role in the Middle East should be viewed not only through the lens of great-power competition with China but also as an opportunity for the US to counterbalance Beijing’s influence.
– Despite the positive vibes in US-India relations, the article cautions that India may not align with the US on all issues concerning the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran. Washington should temper its expectations and understand that India’s economic and security ties with the region do not necessarily mean it will undercut the US.
– The article concludes that it is time for the US to recognize and engage with India’s rising influence in the Middle East.
Source: [Times of India](https://m.timesofindia.com/india/pm-modi-visits-egypts-historic-11th-century-al-hakim-mosque-restored-with-help-of-dawoodi-bohra-community/articleshow/101255057.cms)
Follow DelhiBreakings on Google News
Superfast News Coverage by DelhiBreakings.com team.
For Superfast national news and Delhi Breaking Stories visit us daily at https://delhibreakings.com
