UAE and Qatar policies towards India: two visions, two strategies

Abstract

The role and significance of the UAE and Qatar in the modern political and economic processes in the Middle East has been growing. An integral component of Emirati and Qatari foreign policies is developing connections with major regional and world powers, which makes India a desirable partner for these two Gulf monarchies, taking into account the political and economic weight, not to mention the strategic posture of this South Asian country. UAE–India and Qatar–India relations have significant historical background, however since mid-2010s, they have been witnessing increased interaction and gaining new content. This article examines foreign policy approaches of UAE and Qatar, as well as key goals of their foreign strategies and instruments of their implementation. The analysis shows that while Abu Dhabi follows the course of building multifaceted collective interactions, various shapes of cooperation initiatives and forming connectivity networks, Doha prefers developing bilateral contacts on separate issues with high-status regional and international actors abiding by the principles of counterbalancing and hedging. Consequently, the expanding and deepening cooperation between UAE and India is not only growing new mechanisms, formats and agreements in the spheres of highest significance for both Abu Dhabi and New Delhi, but is in fact witnessing gradual intensification in accordance with the weight and foreign policies of the two states. Whereas the Qatari–Indian interaction, albeit also demonstrating increasing dynamic and expanding cooperation, remains rather limited, which, however, does not diminish its significance in the policies Doha is implementing to ensure its interests.