Explain India’s West Asia policy.

India's West Asia policy is characterized by strategic engagement, economic cooperation, and cultural diplomacy with countries in the region, driven by India's interests in energy security, trade, investment, diaspora welfare, and regional stability. Key aspects of India's West Asia policy include:

1. Energy security: West Asia is a crucial source of oil and natural gas for India, accounting for a significant portion of its energy imports. India's West Asia policy focuses on securing long-term energy partnerships, diversifying energy sources, and ensuring stable energy supplies to fuel its growing economy.

2. Economic cooperation: India seeks to enhance economic cooperation with West Asian countries through trade, investment, and infrastructure projects. India's West Asia policy prioritizes sectors such as infrastructure, construction, healthcare, information technology, and agriculture, leveraging India's expertise and resources to contribute to the region's development.

3. Diaspora engagement: The large Indian diaspora in West Asia plays a vital role in India's engagement with the region. India's West Asia policy aims to protect the rights and welfare of Indian expatriates, promote their contributions to the economies of host countries, and strengthen people-to-people ties through cultural exchanges and diaspora outreach initiatives.

4. Counterterrorism and security cooperation: India collaborates with West Asian countries on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and security cooperation to address common security challenges, including terrorism, extremism, and maritime security threats. India's West Asia policy emphasizes regional stability, conflict resolution, and cooperation on regional security issues.

5. Political engagement and diplomacy: India engages diplomatically with West Asian countries to foster mutual understanding, dialogue, and cooperation on regional and global issues. India's West Asia policy prioritizes bilateral and multilateral engagements, high-level visits, and diplomatic initiatives to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote India's interests in the region.

6. Cultural diplomacy and soft power projection: India's West Asia policy includes cultural diplomacy and soft power projection to enhance India's image, influence, and engagement with West Asian societies. India promotes cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, and people-to-people contacts to deepen cultural understanding, foster goodwill, and strengthen bilateral relations with West Asian countries.

Overall, India's West Asia policy reflects its strategic interests, economic priorities, and cultural connections with countries in the region, aiming to build mutually beneficial partnerships, promote regional stability, and contribute to peace, prosperity, and development in West Asia and beyond.