The Hindu : International / India & World : India takes stock of ties with West Asia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 20, 2006

International

International - India & World

India takes stock of ties with West Asia

Atul Aneja

"Time to take fresh look at the region under a `look west' policy"

DUBAI: Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed has announced that New Delhi is about to embark on a new initiative to build stronger ties with its extended neighbourhood to the west.

"In line with our successful `look east' policy, it is time to take a fresh look at the West Asian region under a `look west' policy," Mr. Ahamed told Indian ambassadors and heads of mission from the West Asian region who had assembled in Doha.

Ambassadors from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait were present at the meeting.

The Minister acquainted the envoys with the changes in India-U.S. relations and its implications for the region. The meeting also noted the region's interest on forging closer ties with Asia.

Mr. Ahamed told The Hindu over telephone that a follow-up action to King Abdullah's visit had been set in motion, which went beyond the issue of "energy security."

"We are equally concerned about the stability of the Gulf not only from an economic point of view but also because the safety of millions of Indians who reside in this region is involved." Apart from oil and gas, information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals would become the key areas of cooperation in future.

The first ministerial meeting of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India is beginning in Muscat on March 25.

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