Amin Rezaeinejad, in an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, continued: India has considered two strategies for Africa and Asia; one is cooperation with the African countries along the Indian Ocean, that is to say, countries located on the eastern coast of the Ocean, and the other is with the countries along the Persian Gulf.

Pointing out that the discussion of India’s relationship with the littoral states of the Persian Gulf is important from two aspects, the expert on subcontinent affairs explained: The first is the issue of energy and the second is containment of Pakistan. Because the Persian Gulf countries have many interests for Pakistan. Firstly, Pakistan is one of the most important suppliers of labor in this region, and secondly, it is the first place to receive aid funds and international financial aid from this region.

He continued: Therefore, India is trying to adjust the views of the countries towards Pakistan in the development of its relations with the Persian Gulf littoral countries.

According to Rezaeinejad, in the meantime, India has a special view on the United Arab Emirates, and in fact, the ambitious phrase of the six Persian Gulf countries should not be focused too much, but we should pay attention to the fact that the main and perhaps the only goal of India’s cooperation with the Persian Gulf countries is the United Arab Emirates.

Pointing out that India is trying to form a triangle including India, the Zionist regime and the United Arab Emirates, this expert said: This triangle will be exactly placed opposite to the triangle of Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar.

He added: New Delhi intends to strike a balance against Pakistan in the region by forming this triad and eventually be able to control China’s behavior as a superpower. Also, this is the best strategy that can be put forward for India today, and a bigger development perspective than this is not envisioned at the moment.

Rezaeinejad further explained: India’s view of East African countries is also in its great competition with China. In fact, India can be seen in two competitions; one is a small competition with Pakistan and the other is a big competition with China.

He continued: If we want to consider the strategic views and deep operational plans of a country, for India, this relationship with the countries of the eastern regions of Africa and the littoral states of the Indian Ocean is meaningful.

The expert on subcontinent affairs emphasized that the United Arab Emirates has a special place for India in its small strategy. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates is also trying to create a balance between all the parties involved in the region in such a way that it can maintain its position; an issue that is very favorable for India.

In this regard, he said: Regarding Iran, even though we were under a lot of pressure due to the American sanctions and our economic relations with other countries decreased, the United Arab Emirates was among a few countries that, despite the existence of some differences and problems, preserved its economic relations with Iran well.

According to the expert, this policy is also a good policy for India and it can make a sustainable investment on its relations with the United Arab Emirates in order to form a balance through the aforementioned triangle and to establish its foothold in the Middle East region as a region which is full of hydrocarbon energy. Because India is developing and its middle class is growing; a class that is the main user of energy.

Pointing out that India needs to get rid of its coal-fired power plants and turn to new sources such as gas and oil, Rezaeinejad added: Therefore, New Delhi has considered this region in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East as a strategic target, but this region is not as important to India as the countries on the east coast of Africa.

Referring to the UAE’s capacity to cooperate with India, the expert explained: Abu Dhabi has a high capacity for such cooperation; in fact, the UAE’s approach to the Indian subcontinent has changed compared to the last year and the coordination it had with Saudi Arabia in its foreign policy.

He continued: Today, in the issue of Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates is no longer the activist it used to be, or in the issue of Pakistan and in the change of governments, it does not have the previous approach, and does not want to unilaterally advance its relations in the South Asian region or the Indian subcontinent in such a way that its relations go to zero and one relationships.

Rezaeinejad added: The UAE is trying to balance its relations with the countries of the region.

In conclusion, he emphasized that since the UAE has such a capacity, India will be more successful in developing its relations with the United Arab Emirates from among the six Persian Gulf countries.