US remains key player in West Asia: Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), MEA

NEW DELHI: India believes that the US, despite its pivot towards Asia-Pacific region, remains an important player for stability in West Asia in the fight against ISIS and security of Israel, a senior Indian diplomat said today.

Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said that while India has been asked to play a more active role in the Middle East, the country needs to assess this based on its strategic leverages and realistic consideration of strengths and limitations.

Speaking at the 2nd annual West Asia conference organised by think-tank IDSA, he noted that after almost five years of 'Arab Spring' in the region, the "earlier exaggerated expectations of progress towards democracy have turned out to be misplaced".

On the whole, developments over the last few years have exacerbated the regional fault lines, accentuated regional rivalries with competing ideologies and skewed the regional balance of power, he said.

Talking about the problems in the region, he said that India acknowledges that the future political discourse taking into account popular aspirations in the countries has to be determined from within and without any external interference or influence.

"While India is not in the business of exporting democracy, promotion of democratic values may be in alignment with India's belief in these principles.

"This requires tactful approach in pursuing our interests and avoiding negative fallout of conflict in our own country," he said.

Talking about external players, he said that India believes that US, despite its pivot towards Asia-Pacific region, remains an important player for regional stability (i.e. fight against ISIS, security of Israel)," a written copy of his speech released by the Ministry said.

He added that other countries have attempted to re-engage and may have gained in appeal as a counterweight to the West in the region.

"The Russian entry in Syria militarily has boosted prospects of the regime in Damascus and focussed on war against ISIS," he said.

Wadhwa said that the year has begun with an escalation of rivalry in the Gulf region with Saudi Arabia and Iran severing diplomatic ties.

"It has further sharpened sectarian divide with a few Gulf monarchies openly taking sides in the conflict," he said.