India Now Eyes Military Ties In The Middle East
Though New Delhi has always enjoyed cordial diplomatic and trade relations with Saudi Arabia, there has been negligible interaction between the militaries of the two countries. But with the Indian Army Chief, Gen MM Naravane visiting Saudi Arabia is a development that clearly indicates that New Delhi and Riyadh are both anxious to establish a far more comprehensive relationship between the two countries. This is certainly a positive sign. The timing of the Indian Army Chief’s visit assumes greater importance as it comes at a time when Saudi Arabia’s ties with Islamabad aren’t as affable as before. And for this, Islamabad has nobody but itself to blame, because despite being one of the biggest beneficiaries of Saudi financial aid, it still decided to shift allegiance to Turkey, which is openly challenging Riyadh’s supremacy in the community of Islamic nations (OIC). Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi went to the extent of threatening Riyadh by saying that if it didn’t ...