On 13 August, 2009 a 10 member delegation from the UAE headed by Major General Mohammed Saeed Bin Maran Al Dhaheri, Commander Supply & Transport Arms, visited IDSA for an interaction.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of IDSA briefed the delegation about the IDSA and its activities. DG, IDSA spoke on the overall relationship between India and the UAE. He clarified India’s stand on the Iranian nuclear issue and said that India had voted against Iran at the IAEA based on India’s position on nuclear proliferation. He said that the menace of terrorism, drug trafficking, rise of LeT, Al-Qaida and the Taliban is posing a great challenge to regional security.

Prof. P. Stobdan gave a brief presentation on the regional security environment in West Asia as well as on linkages between India and the Gulf region. He talked about the security issues in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran and the challenges faced by regional countries. He said that current political developments in Iran could have implications for stability in the Middle East, South Asia and Afghanistan. He said that in South Asia Pakistan had traditionally mishandled terrorism leading to radicalization of societies in the region.

Deputy Director General, Dr. Thomas Mathew, emphasized the contribution of the huge Indian expatriate workers in the UAE and said that India has benefited from the remittances flowing from the Gulf region. He also stressed the need to improve defence cooperation between the two countries.

The delegation also raised issues like India’s relationship with Iran, India’s stand on the Iranian nuclear issue and India’ position on the UAE’s conflict with Iran over three islands in the Gulf – Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tumbs – which are occupied by Iran. The discussion also included issues like piracy, defence cooperation between the two countries and the need to develop people to people contacts.

The UAE delegation appreciated the research activities conducted at the IDSA. The head of the delegation proposed to work together with IDSA in terms of exchanging expertise and undertaking joint research work relating to regional security issues.

Report prepared by West Asia Cluster, IDSA.