9basic Saudi affinity for Pakistan was primarily due to religious considerations.
Rather than demanding the outside world to choose between the two
South Asian neighbours, India recognized the wider international com-
pulsions and opted to delink Pakistan and this was more visible vis-à- vis
Saudi Arabia. Once the Pakistani factor was off the table, the Kingdom
was more receptive towards India, its challenges and opportunities. This
pattern can be noticed in much of India’s engagements with major powers
of the world. Hence, the transformation of Indian policy and the reciproc-
ity from the other side resulted in the Kingdom emerging as a key player
in India’s Middle East policy.
The volume treats the subject in four broad segments. The first one
provided the general overview of the relations since 1947 and the second
one deals with the role of Islam, Pakistan and Palestine in shaping India’s
Saudi policy. The third part deals with the shift in Indian policy and the
resultant transformation both in political and economic terms. And the
last section focuses on the role of international players and challenges fac-
ing the bilateral relations.
During his visit to India in 2006, King Abdullah observed that Saudi
Arabia sees ‘Pakistan as a brother and India a friend.’ However strong, the
former is given while the latter is a choice; ancient Indian epics are replete
with examples of friends being more dependable and enduring than blood
relatives. Over to the Volume.
INTRODUCTION