KSPP guest lecture explores India-West Asia ties

Metro India News | Hyderabad : The Kautilya School of Public Policy (KSPP) at GITAM Deemed to be University, Hyderabad, hosted a thought-provoking guest lecture on “Reimagining India’s West Asia Policy amid Regional Conflict and Fragmentation” on Friday. Colonel Rajeev Agarwal (Retd.), Senior Research Consultant at the Chintan Research Foundation, New Delhi, delivered the keynote address.

Col. Agarwal outlined India’s transition from traditional ties with West Asia to a multidimensional strategic partnership spanning energy, trade, investment, defence, connectivity, security and people-to-people links. He pointed to growing strategic convergence with key West Asian nations and emerging cooperation in intelligence sharing, cyber security, space, drones and maritime security.

Highlighting the Strait of Hormuz’s pivotal role in global energy flows, he stressed its significance for India, which relies heavily on the region for crude oil, LNG and LPG. He also underscored the need to protect India’s diaspora and seafarers while boosting energy resilience and connectivity.

In his concluding remarks, Col. Agarwal introduced the “SHIELD” framework — Security, Humans First, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Energy Security and Resilience, Linkages through Trade and Investment, and Diplomacy and Strategic Autonomy — as a roadmap for India’s engagement with West Asia.

The session drew students from KSPP and across GITAM, along with KSPP Dean and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin, who appreciated the insights on navigating regional fragmentation while advancing India’s strategic interests.