THE CENTURIES-OLD interaction between India and the Gulf region has been mutually beneficial, says Talmiz Ahmed, India’s new envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As one who has handled the visits of millions of Indians performing Haj every year, and as a former ambassador to Riyadh, he should know.

How do you look at India at 60?
AHMED: The 60th anniversary of our Independence is an occasion for reflection, when we recall our achievements and explore the future path we have to pursue. Our greatest achievement is that we have sustained a democratic and multi-cultural polity and pulled millions out of the poverty trap. We have given them a promise of prosperity. But we have a long way to go in reaching relief to the poor, the disadvantaged and vulnerable sections of our polity. Our independence and our achievements will not be complete without it.

How does the diplomat in you view India’s role in the near future?
AHMED: In the international arena, we are aware of very major shifts taking place in power equations at regional and global levels. India’s role is increasingly being recognised in the regional and internal arena on account of our social and economic strides. We have to develop a role for our country that sustains our national interests and ensures that we represent the interests of our region as well. With our economic and political achieve ments, as also our history and culture, we are well placed as a nation to fulfil that role.

How can India purposefully connect with its neighbours?
AHMED: There is already a consensus in South Asia in favour of connectivity - roads, railways and air links - movement of people and expansion of cultural linkages and of trade. This functions at both cross-border and at government-to-government levels. There used to be natural linkages in undivided India. Political consequences of the Partition have impeded them. We are now working to restore these natural and mutually beneficial connections.
All this has to be based on the principle of equality and mutual respect. Which means there is no hegemony and there are no leaders. We are all equal partners in this quest. Even in sensitive Jammu and Kashmir, linkages need to be explored and trade and tourism promoted. Then you can concentrate on issues like public health, flood and droughts and other calamities. It is possible to institutionalise them in the form of Joint Working Groups and Joint Commissions. These can also be at informal levels. We need to fight disasters jointly. This goes with the theme that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been advocating: no tampering of political lines, but working in areas where these lines become irrelevant.

Do you think India can become one of the five top economic superpowers by 2040?
AHMED: I am not comfortable with such hyperbolic terminologies. I would simply say that we have made our strides and provided opportunities for the private sector to flourish even as the State continues to be responsible for alleviation of poverty and providing relief to weaker sections.

You have been an avid Gulf watcher.
AHMED: India’s ties with the Gulf region are historic. For over five millennia, we have interacted with each other, economically, intellectually and culturally. This interaction has enriched us both and has given us a reasonable cultural cohesiveness.
Our people share similar values of moderation, accommodation, hospitality and family values. The relationship has been unbroken even after the advent of colonisation in our region. Our mercantile contacts across the seas remained intact. Merchants from India and the Gulf region even set up homes in each other’s countries. Our connection has continued in the postoil boom era. India has contributed to the enrichment of the Gulf people even as it has obtained energy resources from the region. It has been a sustained and mutually beneficial relationship. In recent years, our political ties have expanded with exchange of high level visits. There has been political dialogue at ministerial and official levels.
The Gulf region is in the throes of considerable uncertainties on account of the situation in Iraq and Palestine and developments with regard to Iran. It is all the more required that India interacts with the Gulf countries robustly, so that we can pursue common policies for security and stability of the region. Our economic role is already substantial. A larger role has to be pursued through a political dialogue that is mutually beneficial through government and private sectors. Education, the IT and human resources sectors are the most promising sectors.

You have just taken over as India’s ambassador to the UAE.
AHMED: The United Arab Emirates is India’s most important political and economic partner in the Gulf region. It is home to 1.5 million Indians who have made significant contribution even as they have enjoyed the care and attention of the UAE leadership that looks after their welfare. Their achievements in the UAE and in the Gulf region as a whole are substantial and are a source of pride. The goodwill established by them is an important element in fostering India’s excellent ties with the UAE and the Gulf region in general.