New friends: India is making efforts to isolate Pakistan in the Islamic world, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• India has stepped up diplomatic engagement with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.

• These efforts are part of a broader strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, especially in the Islamic world.

• Categorical condemnation of the attack by all three countries marks a notable shift in West Asia’s traditional alignment.

Detailed Insights:

• Saudi Arabia’s Stand:

  • PM Modi, while in Jeddah, discussed the attack with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

  • Their joint statement condemned terrorism and rejected any linkage of terrorism to religion.

  • Builds on past cooperation, especially Saudi help in the 2012 arrest of LeT terrorist Abu Jundal, and growing economic ties, including $100 billion investment promise.

• UAE’s Alignment Shift:

  • UAE, once perceived as a staunch Pakistani ally, signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with India in 2017.

  • Frequent high-level visits have transformed bilateral ties.

  • In April, India welcomed UAE’s Deputy PM Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, cementing strategic cooperation.

• Taliban’s Position:

  • India’s MEA envoy met Taliban acting foreign minister Muttaqi.

  • The Taliban issued a categorical condemnation of the Pahalgam attack—a drastic change from its earlier stance.

  • Marks a strategic move to exploit geopolitical fissures between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Strategic/Geopolitical Concepts Involved:

• Counter-terror Diplomacy: Leveraging bilateral ties and international statements to build diplomatic pressure against state-sponsored terrorism.

• Soft Balancing: Realigning ties with former adversaries or neutral players to check a common threat.

• West Asia Realignment: India’s proactive diplomacy in shifting Gulf power dynamics post-Abraham Accords and US retrenchment.

Significance:

• Demonstrates India’s mature strategic diplomacy and ability to mobilize international opinion.

• Reflects success in recasting relationships with key Muslim nations previously aligned with Pakistan.

• Lays the foundation for deeper security and economic cooperation while exposing Pakistan's diminishing credibility.

Mains Mock Question:

_"India’s recent engagements with Gulf nations mark a shift in West Asia's perception of terrorism and strategic interests. Critically analyze how India’s diplomacy is reshaping its neighbourhood and counter-terror posture."_