The Arab Gulf's Pivot to Asia: From Transactional to Strategic Partnerships [Hardcover]

Over the last two decades the relations between the countries of the Gulf and Asia have expanded beyond the economic domain to include political and even security arrangements. While oil and non-oil trade are still the fulcrum of their association, 'strategic' partnerships are fast becoming the norm. The contributors of this book argue that, along with economic diversification, the Gulf countries have also diversified their foreign policies, especially with China, India, Japan and South Korea, among others. Together with Russia, this could eventually alter the current US-centric security paradigm. This opens up the prospect for a 'collective' security architecture in the Gulf, which is key to regional and global stability.The contributors of this book argue that, along with economic diversification, the Gulf countries have also diversified their foreign policies, especially with China, India, Japan and South Korea, among others. Together with Russia, this could eventually alter the current US-centric security paradigm.Introduction N. Janardhan 1. Contextualising the Gulf's 'Look East' Policy N. Janardhan 2. Belt and Road Initiative: Opportunities and Obstacles for the Gulf Jin Liangxiang and N. Janardhan 3. Gulf-Japan Ties, Beyond the Energy Sector Jun Saito and N. Janardhan 4. Gulf-South Korea Ties: Special, Smart and Strategic Kwon Hyung Lee and N. Janardhan 5. India's 'Think West' Matches Gulf's 'Look East' Policy N. Janardhan 6. Gulf-Central Asia Ties: Beyond the Impasse Luca Anceschi 7. The 'Great Decoupling' of US-China Ties: Implications for the Gulf Steve Tsang 8. UAE-India Relations: Expanding 'Strategic' Vistas Talmiz Ahmad 9. Geo-Environmental Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region: A Gulf Agenda David Brewster 10. Asian Diplomacy: Harmony and Contrast Kishan Rana 11. 21st Century Space Diplomacy in Asian Orbit N. Janardhan 12. Why Indian Muslims Reject Extremist Doctrines: Lessons for the Gulf Talmiz Ahmad 13. Flag Follows Trade lód