The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and The Strategic Studies Centre, Cairo

Is organising a webinar on

“Global Geopolitics and Regional Security Environment in West Asia”

Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General MP-IDSA and Staff General Adel Mohamed Hassan Eldeeb, Director Strategic Studies Centre Cairo, will lead the Webinar on both sides.

The Programme of the Webinar is attached.

Download Event Report [PDF]

Webinar on “Global Geopolitics and Regional Security Environment in West Asia” organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the Strategic Studies Centre (SSC), Cairo, on July 27, 2021.

1. The world is experiencing a major global geo-economic shift and COVID-19 pandemic has acted as an accentuating factor. China’s economic rise has been accompanied by unilateralism and a military assertiveness that is bound to be resisted by all peace-loving nations. Technology, particularly in fields of telecom, Artificial Intelligence, cyberspace and data security are the new battle grounds.
2. Chinese bid to bring trade diplomacy in South Asia has brought a new challenge in India’s neighbourhood. The most challenging aspect of the security is the unfolding situation in Afghanistan. Taliban is coming back with great momentum and is trying to establish its hold in Afghanistan in a violent manner. Regional cooperation is needed to contain this issue but Pakistan is not on board. If the issue is not contained the region will become a breeding ground for fundamentalism which will further increase the security challenges.
3. For India, Indo-Pacific is gaining currency as a vastly more inclusive concept in terms of economic prosperity in a much wider region. The Biden Administration has taken a more engaging outlook towards the Indo-Pacific region. His policies towards Asia include more focus on multilateral mode of engagement with respect to climate change, trade, connectivity and development; focus on building a responsive partnership with Japan and South Korea; continuing rivalry with China and to remain engaged in the Korean peninsula.
4. Scholars from the SSC stated that the previous US administration’s ‘maximum pressure’ policy that pushed Iran to the corner has affected the regional security and stability. On the other hand, the activities of Iran-backed proxies or armed groups increased in the region, particularly in Syria and Yemen and has caused serious security concerns for the regional countries.
5. Participants from SSC argued that for the Biden Administration, the case of Iranian nuclear deal remains a top priority. Ho in their policies and perspectives towards each other and the region. They argued that given the change of behaviour from both the parties, an amended nuclear deal is possible, if Iran adheres to the JCPOA and the US removes sanctions on Iran.
6. Egypt believes that Israel wants to be the only state with nuclear power in the region. Its policies are to ensure that no other state possess such power. Israel is working with the US, and other Western countries to ensure sanctions on Iran to continue so as to force Iran to abandon its nuclear programme.
7. The situation between Iran-Israel will continue to remain tense. Tehran’s support to Assad regime, and groups like Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas will continue to challenge Israel’s national security.
8. Turkey is following a Neo-Ottoman policy in West Asia which has alarmed other key regional players. Its policies have led to several problems in the African countries especially in Libya. Also, with its new maritime ambitions, Turkey intends to expand its naval presence in the Horn of Africa, Red Sea and Persian Gulf regions. It taken steps to enhance its naval capacity in the region, especially Africa which has led to serious fictions between Turkey and other regional powers like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt.
9. For India the goal is to achieve rapid and inclusive economic growth in a stable and peaceful environment. Our strategic autonomy is better today. India is non-permanent member in the UNSC that has given it a fresh opportunity to engage with partners including Egypt and to help strengthen multilateralism.
10.  Egypt’s role has become more significant as it has taken a number of steps to stabilise the region by rooting out terror groups, minimising internal conflicts and preventing regional turmoil in Libya and Palestine. Egypt played a critical role in bringing a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas in May this year, which was praised by the international community. Egypt’s position on Libya as well as Mediterranean region is to balance Turkey’s presence in the region.
11.  Counter-terrorism has emerged as one of the leading areas of cooperation between India and Egypt. There are several mechanisms including regular cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of two countries and the Joint cooperation committee’s regular meetings between senior officials from both sides.
12.  India and Egypt that have common interests in security and the stability of the West Asian region to strengthen their partnership. It is imperative for both the countries to cooperate and coordinate on regional security, especially in the area of strategic cooperation.