West Asia is an important strategic region for India with profound economic, political and geo-economic significance. Discuss.

India has deep civilisational & cultural links with West Asia. West Asia is one extended neighbourhood and important strategic region. [Diagram showing India in relation to West Asia with geographic labels] Geo-economic significance — (1) Energy security — India is 3rd largest importer of oil and 2nd abundantly oil. (2) Remittances from gulf nations add to India being safest receiver of remittance in world. (3) Market for Indian goods [B]

Agricultural products — (1) Large resources - minerals as gold, silver Geopolitical significance — (1) With Afghanistan under Taliban West Asia is important fore balancing Pakistan & China. (2) China has expanded its footprint from China-CPEC [BRI] — 200 billion deal for 25 years. (3) Important from security perspective [B] terrorist groups of ISI, L'aur situation is IEK. (4) Muslim majority sentiments [B] aimed blocking Israel-Palestine issue. For its strategic importance, India has used non-alignment & de-hyphenated relation policy for West Asia.