The National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the United States, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently held a trilateral meeting in Saudi Arabia amid China’s expanding footprint in West Asia. The meeting is a significant development that signals a growing partnership among the three countries to counter China’s influence in the region.
The meeting, which was held in the city of Jeddah, was attended by US NSA Jake Sullivan, Indian NSA Ajit Doval, and UAE NSA Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The NSAs discussed a range of issues, including regional security, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation. They also discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership among their countries and promote peace and stability in the region.
The meeting assumes significance as China has been expanding its presence in West Asia in recent years. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure development project, has made significant inroads into the region, with several countries in the region signing up for the initiative. China has also been investing heavily in the region’s energy sector, with several Chinese companies acquiring stakes in oil and gas fields in the region.
China’s growing presence in West Asia has raised concerns among the US, India, and the UAE, which are all important stakeholders in the region. The US has been trying to counter China’s influence by promoting its own economic and security initiatives in the region, such as the Middle East Partnership for Economic Growth and the Abraham Accords. India has also been trying to deepen its ties with the countries in the region, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting several countries in the region in recent years. The UAE, on its part, has been an important partner for both the US and India in the region.
The trilateral meeting in Jeddah is a testament to the growing partnership among the US, India, and the UAE and their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. The NSAs’ discussions on regional security and counterterrorism are also a reflection of the shared security concerns of the three countries in the face of growing threats from non-state actors and terrorist groups in the region.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the three countries to explore ways to deepen economic cooperation and leverage each other’s strengths. The US, India, and the UAE are all major economies with significant trade and investment ties with the region. The meeting could pave the way for closer economic cooperation among the three countries and promote greater economic integration in the region.
In conclusion, the trilateral meeting among the NSAs of the US, India, and the UAE in Saudi Arabia is a significant development that underscores the growing partnership among the three countries and their shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. The meeting also sends a strong message to China that the US, India, and the UAE are united in their efforts to counter China’s growing influence in West Asia.
