India’s Iraq Policy: Past, Present & Future

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Iraq is a vital country in the region. It is an essential part of India’s extended neighbourhood, not merely for its ineluctable geopolitical and geo-economic significance but also because of its vast historical and cultural importance. In the past, India had close and diverse relations with Iraq that have undergone profound changes over the years. Iraq is India’s third-largest trade partner in the region and among the top three suppliers of crude oil. However, the bilateral ties have never been subjected to serious systemic inquiry. As New Delhi seeks to increase its footprint in the region, it is of utmost importance that India’s relations with Iraq are accorded critical attention. This study analyses India’s Iraq policy over the years by building on an extensive review of 70 years of India’s Foreign Affairs Records (FAR). In addition, the study makes suggestions based on India’s past interactions with Iraq on how the relations can be expanded and strengthened with Iraq.

About The Author

Prabhat Jawla is a Non-Resident Researcher at the Middle East Institute, New Delhi (MEI@ND) and is pursuing his doctorate from the Centre for West Asian Studies (CWAS), School of International Studies (SIS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He holds a Master’s degree from South Asian University (a university established by SAARC nations), and has previously worked with West Asia Centre at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi.