Saudi Arabia is a unique country at least in three specific details. One, it possesses more than a quarter of the global oil reserves and has been the largest oil producer for over half a century and today is the only producer with a spare production capacity. Two, the holiest Islamic Shrines are located in Makkah and Madinah, placing the country in the epicentre of the Muslim sacred space. Three, it is one of the last surviving ruling monarchies and the only one that has named the country after the name of one of its former rulers.
Over the decades, its relations with India have steadily improved. During the cold war, India chose to remain non-aligned, whereas Saudi Arabia was firmly in the US-led bloc. The Saudi-led OPEC showed a considerate policy towards India during the oil crisis of 1973. There was no embargo against India. The bilateral relations have been on an upswing since then. The Saudi Kind Abdullah was the official guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2006. The visit has been significant in many respects. The earlier visit of a Saudi King had been more than 50 years back. The “Delhi Declaration” signed at the end of the visit spoke of a broad strategic vision between the two countries.
Today, the Kingdom is the largest supplier of oil to India. It is the 14th largest market for India accounting for seven per cent of its total exports. India, in turn, is the fifth largest market for Saudi Arabia accounting for four-an-a-half per cent of its exports. Roughly, 1.3 million Indians are working in the Kingdom, who are sending back remittances worth $2 billion annually.
THE DELHI DECLARATION
It was signed by King Abdullah and Dr. Manmohan Singh on January 27, 2006. The introductory part has focussed many things. The second part deals with the agreement between the two countries.
The first part is reflective about the realisation, reflections, desireness, affirmations, consciousness and recognition. It is reflective of ‘think-process’ of both the countries. The realisation is that the visit of the Saudi king heralds a ‘new era’ in India-Saudi Arabia relations and logically followed by “a landmark in the development of increased understanding and cooperation between the two countries” and interestingly for “a mutually beneficial partnership”.
However, the next para goes beyond the mutual interest and touches the world as well. What both the countries are “developing” is “strategic vision” and (hopefully) they “are determined to work together closely for the welfare and benefit of their peoples” and (yet again) for “peace and stability in the region and the world”. The declaration does not touch what type of “strategic vision” both the countries are developing in view of turmoil in West and South Asia. What transpired between the leaders on this crucial dimension of foreign policy is not on record.
The two sides have agreed on many points, of which, the following are more important:
Terrorism is a scourge for all mankind and there is a need to intensify and coordinate bilateral, regional and global cooperation to combat and eradicate the menace of terrorism.
The two Governments would closely and actively cooperate to fight the menace of terrorism and other transnational crimes… (the conclusion obviously is that). The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Saudi Arabia and India on combating crime will help in the fight against terrorism, extremism (not defined) and criminal elements.
Apart from trade, investment, infrastructure, oil, joint venture, cooperation in the field of technology, tourism, youth affairs and sport, agriculture research and education, technical education and vocational education training and other fields of mutual benefit – the two sides agreed to cultivate and encourage exchange between the two countries, both at official and popular levels.
In the field of political cooperation, both sides exchanged views about international developments, especially those related to Middle East (West Asia), and affirmed their commitment to the principle of international legality and the importance of maintaining international peace and stability. The two sides agreed to work together towards resolving outstanding conflicts in the world through peaceful means.
Ironically, both sides expressed the hope that the Beirut-Arab Peace Initiative and Road Map “will lead to the establishment of a viable and independent State of Palestine living in peace and prosperity within secure borders side by side with Israel,” thereby, legitimising Israel once again.