Qatar stands isolated as the four Arab allies — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates — of…
(PHOTO: Wikipedia)
Qatar stands isolated as the four Arab allies — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates — of the US have declared to snap diplomatic ties with the region’s financial superpower for its alleged support to Islamist groups and its closeness to Iran.
Not surprising that this has happened a fortnight after US President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia, which banned Qatari planes from landing on its land. As per reports there was chaos at Doha airport as flights to Saudi Arabia and UAE were stopped.
However, this has not happened for the first time as in 2014 also, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain had temporarily withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar.
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It’s time for India to tread with care amid the Gulf stand-off. India can’t afford to take sides. Prime Minister had visited Saudi Arabia and UAE in 2016 and 2015, respectively, to bolster ties with the oil-rich countries. India’s ties with Qatar are mainly based on energy and economic links, besides the presence of about half-a-million Indian people living there.
As of now, Qatari FDI in India is modest, but private investors from the country are looking at investment options in real estate, roads and highways, airports and airlines, ports, petrochemicals and tourism/hospitality.
The stand-off is unlikely to affect energy exports from the Gulf, but it may have far-reaching effects in the region grappling with wars from Syria to Yemen.
Saudi Arabia has been accusing Qatar of supporting “Iranian-backed terrorist groups” operating in the kingdom's eastern province as well as Bahrain. It also accused Qatar of supporting “terror groups”, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
Qatar is accused of playing a key role in supporting anti-regime movements during the Arab Spring, and acted against Saudi and UAE interests allegedly by funding the Muslim Brotherhood's government in Egypt. Qatar also hosts members of the exiled leadership of the Iranian-backed Hamas militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.
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