Archive · 5 Sep 2026
India’s Gulf Strategy Must Turn Presence Into Strategic Power
The article says the Gulf region is very important to India, not only because of oil and Indian workers living there.
Problems in Gulf waterways can affect India’s energy, trade, prices and citizens.
India is encouraged to use its navy and technology more actively in the region.
It should share information with Gulf countries and cooperate on shipping safety, drones and emergency evacuations.
India’s growing defence industry could also sell equipment such as drones and naval systems.
The Gulf’s investments in technology, space and clean energy create opportunities for cooperation with India.
The article says India should work with many countries instead of joining a formal military alliance.
Its main goal should be to become a trusted and influential Gulf partner while making its own decisions.
The opinion argues that the Gulf should become central to India’s foreign-policy and strategic planning.
India’s economic growth, energy security, maritime trade and citizens’ welfare are closely tied to Gulf stability.
It calls for integrating diplomacy, naval power, defence cooperation, technology, logistics and economic statecraft.
The article highlights Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as important partners with distinct roles.
It urges India to deepen Gulf ties while preserving strategic autonomy and engagement with Iran, Israel and other powers.
- Who
- India, Gulf states and the millions of Indians living and working in the Gulf are central to the discussion.
- What
- The opinion calls for India to turn its longstanding Gulf presence into a coordinated strategy involving diplomacy, maritime power, defence, technology and economic statecraft.
- When
- The article was first published and last updated on September 5, 2026.
- Where
- The focus is the Gulf, its maritime links through the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, and India’s wider western maritime neighbourhood.
- Why
- The author argues that Gulf stability directly affects India’s economic expansion, energy security, maritime commerce, national influence and citizens’ welfare.
- Article type
- Opinion piece by Prosenjit Nath
- Strategic priority
- Move the Gulf from the periphery to the centre of India’s extended strategic geography.
- Key maritime area
- The waterways linking the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
- Proposed cooperation
- Intelligence sharing, maritime-domain awareness, naval interoperability, unmanned systems, counter-drone technology and evacuation planning.
- Highlighted partners
- Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
- Defence opportunity
- India could use exports of missiles, drones, naval systems and electronic-warfare capabilities to build longer-term partnerships.
- Strategic principle
- India should become an indispensable Gulf partner while retaining freedom of decision-making and avoiding formal alliances.