Saudi Arabia and Strategic Autonomy

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has pursued an aggressive foreign strategy to strengthen its influence in West Asia.

Saudi Arabia, which had pursued an aggressive foreign strategy in recent years to strengthen its influence in West Asia while undermining Iran, its hated adversary, has now reversed course.
It is reaching out to old adversaries, holding discussions with new adversaries, and attempting to strike a balance amongst big powers while reforming its domestic economy.
If Saudi Arabia continues to assert its foreign policy autonomy and promote regional stability through diplomacy.
It might have major consequences for West Asia.
For many years, the kingdom’s animosity towards Iran was the primary motivator of Saudi foreign policy.
Saudi Arabia, for example, joined hands with its Gulf allies in Syria, Iran’s lone state partner in West Asia.
In addition, Turkey and the West are funding and arming the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad.

Overview
- For many years, the kingdom’s animosity towards Iran was the primary motivator of Saudi foreign policy.
- As a result, there have been proxy conflicts throughout the region.
- Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest commercial partner, accounting for more than 18% of India’s crude oil imports.
- It is critical to examine its foreign policy as a model for India’s changing priorities in West Asia.

Following China-mediated discussions, Saudi Arabia recently announced a plan to normalise diplomatic relations with Iran.
Soon after, rumours surfaced that Russia was mediating negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Syria.
That may result in the latter rejoining the Arab League before the next meeting, which is set for May 2023 in Saudi Arabia.
A Saudi-Omani group recently visited Yemen to negotiate a permanent truce with the Houthi rebels.
These actions significantly depart from Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s policy.
This is happening at a time when Saudi Arabia is also attempting to strike a balance with the United States.
Its major armaments supplier, Russia, its OPEC-Plus partner, and China, the region’s new superpower.

About
- May end the long-running Shia-Sunni antagonism in West Asian politics.
- Put an end to proxy wars in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq.
- As Western influence declines, Chinese influence grows.
- Putin’s future trip plans may be affected.
- Given none of Russia, China, the United States, or India is signatories to the ICC, this may not matter.
- Putin’s future trip plans may be affected.
- Given none of Russia, China, the United States, or India is signatories to the ICC, this may not matter.
- Adheres to non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of other countries.
- For multipolar organisations to become politicised is unacceptable, as evidenced by the current stalemate at the G-20.

Saudi’s closeness with China
- The unexpected diplomatic thaw with Iran, mediated by China, has emphasised Saudi Arabia’s increased flexibility.
- A leader who has already been chastised for making rash judgements that have led the ultra-conservative monarchy into an unending conflict in Yemen.
- A forceful blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a heated rivalry with its regional adversary, Iran.
- Saudi Arabia is also strengthening ties with China, its largest commercial partner.
Russia and Saudi Arabia
- Following the commencement of the OPEC+ oil output accord in 2016, relations between the two countries grew stronger.
- In October 2017, King Salman bin Abdulaziz made his historic first visit to Moscow.

AUKUS
- The US, Australia, and the UK unveiled a three-phase plan involving a $368 billion pact to give Australia nuclear-powered submarines over the next 30 years.
Japanese PM’s Visit to Delhi
- Japan’s Prime Minister revealed Japan’s new Indo-Pacific Policy, indicating that Tokyo opposes Russia’s and China’s military plans.
The US hosted a virtual Democracy Summit
- Pitching a front of democracies vs authoritarian states – deepening the global divide as;
  - Neither China nor Russia was invited, but Taiwan was.
  - They called the Ukraine War – an assault on democracy.

There is a reason why India’s current foreign policy of strategic autonomy and multipolarity is so similar to its traditional non-alignment policy.
Instead of viewing non-alignment as a necessity, there is virtue in viewing India’s historic balancing act as one that allows its foreign policy to be as flexible as possible to meet India’s needs.

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Content Source: The Hindu