We become protectors of the Kingdom(Yindus offered strategic missiles). So if we become protectors, then we can demand KSA to tell TSP what to do. TSPs purse strings are with KSA and west. Kingdom can give TSP a nice kick in the Musharraf if they don't listen (its happened more than once this year alone).Kanson wrote: What is the value of India-Saudi strategic partnership in this equation?
Turkey: Update. Prime Minister Erdogan declared victory on Sunday, 12 September, as voters approved a constitutional reform package in a highly debated referendum that will restructure the judiciary and curb military powers.
The referendum was regarded as a vote of confidence in Erdogan's government. Prime Minister Erdogan dismissed concerns about his government moving towards an establishment of Islam, saying he is committed to the country's 87-year-old secular state. Following the referendum victory, Erdogan committed himself to further reform, including a completely new constitution.
Comment: The referendum exposed how Turkey has become tri-furcated under the AK Party. The Party has little room for the educated sophisticated urbanites who live along the northwest coast. It has no place for the Kurds. Both groups only prosper in a tolerant, secular environment. That era is close to ending.
The election result showed that most Turks who live in the heartland of Anatolia are conservative, devout Muslims and opposed to Turkey remaining a secular state in the tradition of Ataturk.
European Union observers approved the outcome interpreting it as a sign of openness and modernity because it would restrain the Turkish armed forces from taking power and using the secular constitution as a justification. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The men with the most guns will try to take power whenever they think they need to and can succeed. They will rewrite the laws and the narrative later.
The Europeans are the most blinkered about this result, interpreting it as a move towards modernization and reform. The huge rural vote was not in favor of the European Union, much less adoption of modern values. It was in favor of making Turkey more pious under Sharia.
The bureaucrats of the European Union have misread the political situation in Turkey from the beginning. Their requirement to restrain the Turkish armed forces from acting as parens patriae to preserve a secular Turkey has worked to make Turkey a more Islamist state, the antithesis of European Union values.
Erdogan has promised to draft a new constitution and submit it for popular approval. The sign of his Islamist intentions will be how the new constitution treats Sharia, Islamic law. If Turkey enshrines it as the touchstone for all legislation, as it is in Afghanistan, then Turkey will no longer be a secular state, to which Erdogan professes to remain committed.
NATO leaders are watching on the sidelines as Turkey moves more towards becoming an Islamist state with NATO-compatible arms and training.
Ramanaji,NATO leaders are watching on the sidelines as Turkey moves more towards becoming an Islamist state with NATO-compatible arms and training.
shyamd ji,shyamd wrote:We become protectors of the Kingdom(Yindus offered strategic missiles). So if we become protectors, then we can demand KSA to tell TSP what to do. TSPs purse strings are with KSA and west. Kingdom can give TSP a nice kick in the Musharraf if they don't listen (its happened more than once this year alone).Kanson wrote: What is the value of India-Saudi strategic partnership in this equation?
We get our energy security.
+1.RajeshA wrote: How high is the possibility that India can be a defense partner for Saudis, when its Wahhabi clergy may tie the hands of the Royals, or do both follow their independent policies - the clergy continue to pump dollars into the Wahhabi madrassas in the Indian Subcontinent, while the Royals continue to swim in their Petrodollars and sleep with the Big Satan?
What is required here is to slowly push GCC including KSA towards granting permanent residence and then citizenship to all Indians(Indian Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus, Christians) in their countries.shyamd wrote:We become protectors of the Kingdom(Yindus offered strategic missiles). So if we become protectors, then we can demand KSA to tell TSP what to do. TSPs purse strings are with KSA and west. Kingdom can give TSP a nice kick in the Musharraf if they don't listen (its happened more than once this year alone).Kanson wrote: What is the value of India-Saudi strategic partnership in this equation?
We get our energy security.
The problem you are referring to here has been popping up in pretty much every state from Chechnya to Indonesia. Decline of local Islamic versions at the expense of the Saudi funded version. A future way to hedge Saudi influence that will come with relations with them may be to back Shia Islam.ramana wrote:We need our own Koran scholars.
Israel doesn't oppose a US arms deal that would send advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia, which is increasingly seen as essential to containing Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The package, which would be the US's largest-ever overseas arms sale and has been in negotiations since 2007, underscores how Israel no longer feels threatened by Saudi Arabia and how the US increasingly sees the Gulf state as essential toward containing Iran, says Thomas Lippman at the Council on Foreign Relations.
the package would include 84 new Boeing F-15 fighter jets and upgrades to another 70 of them. It would also include three types of helicopters: 72 Black Hawk helicopters, 70 Apaches, and 36 Little Birds. In addition, US officials are discussing a $30 billion package to upgrade Saudi Arabia’s naval forces.
The White House is reportedly set to notify Congress of the deal within the next month, which would set off a 30-day congressional review period. It is expected to be touted as a way to spur new job growth and support at least 75,000 jobs at Boeing and United Technologies, the Journal reported.
not even post 9/11In 2004, the US for the first time ever included Saudi Arabia alongside Burma and North Korea in the list of eight countries it describes as seriously violating religious freedom.
During the 1980s, Israel opposed the sale of aircraft and missiles to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, according to a 2004 Congressional Research Service briefing. In 1986, the Senate blocked President Reagan’s sale of shoulder-launched “Stinger” missiles to Riyadh amid American and Israeli objections – although a denuded arms package eventually went through.
Israeli concerns about the newest deal have been reportedly calmed by assurances that the jets will lack long-range weapons systems and be of a lower grade than those sold to Israel.
As an editorial in The Jerusalem Post recently highlighted, "If the US does not sell to the Gulf states, EU countries or even Russia, which are much less receptive to Israeli interests, might fill the vacuum."
Washington, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh today all share concerns about Tehran possessing a nuclear weapon. "In contrast [to the 1980s], today, the US, Israel and the Saudis are on the same page as far as Iran is concerned," The Jerusalem Post editorial declared
sometime back it was reported that KSA king wanted 2 countries not to exist- Iran and Israel."Part of what the [Obama] administration is doing," Lippman adds, "is to convince the Saudis that we can take care of their security concerns without them getting nuclear."
Carl_T wrote:Thought this was interesting.
New religious nationalism alienates hardline constituency.
http://www.rferl.org/content/Iranian_Pr ... 31415.html
Israel created a fuss in washington over the F-15Sea Eagles. The deal has actually been delayed for about a few months because of the Israeli complaint to Washington. Obama pulled the deal through, as well as KSA MoD started taking steps to put the US under pressure.
We have excellent defence relations with the Sultanate of Oman and they remain our sole supporters in the GCC of the Indian outlook of the world. They have backed our position on Kashmir. Qatari ties have gone a little cold over the last year, I think its because Qatar has decided to copy Oman and make peace with Iran, so they have signed defence agreements similar to India with Iran.RajeshA wrote: shyamd ji,
We have got some defense cooperation with Qatar and I believe with Oman as well. What is the possibility for us to expand this? Could Bahrain be next? Can we conclude a defense agreement with UAE or at least some Emirate there?
Go back through the last 5 or 6 pages of this threadI am asking this, because I would like to know, whether we can first bring the other Gulf Arabs into our sphere of influence and wean them away from Pakistan, before we go for the bigger prize of Saudi Arabia.
They have to do what they got to do to survive politically. Just pray for King Abdullah's good health because he is taking a lot of steps to control the wahabbi's. In the last few months, he has announced steps to strip away a lot of their powers.How high is the possibility that India can be a defense partner for Saudis, when its Wahhabi clergy may tie the hands of the Royals, or do both follow their independent policies - the clergy continue to pump dollars into the Wahhabi madrassas in the Indian Subcontinent, while the Royals continue to swim in their Petrodollars and sleep with the Big Satan?
Why can't we have both??Wouldn't we be better off partnering with Iran as only they can provide us the access routes to Central Asia?
There are already many Indians who have obtained nationality. But these are people who are well connected and who have done a lot for the country. You see, they have to protect their indigenous population, they dont want any political movements to erupt if all the foreigners get together. And, GCC spends a lot of money on their citizens, I mean serious bucks. In Oman, if lets say you have a serious injury and need an operation, you have a choice to go to Thailand, India, London for treatment all paid for by the govt. If all of a sudden you start handing out nationality to all the foreigners then, they cant afford to maintain all the benefits and there may be some resentment amongst the locals. Culture is another issue - they want to protect their unique cultures.Karna_A wrote: What is required here is to slowly push GCC including KSA towards granting permanent residence and then citizenship to all Indians(Indian Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus, Christians) in their countries.
Both sides open to cooperation as trade hits $4.5 billion.
Mr Sharma said cooperation with Oman in petroleum, gas and fertilizer sectors was a priority area for the Indian Government.
Arun S.
Muscat, Sept. 5
Oman will soon pump in investments to the tune of $3 billion into India's fertiliser sector.
In this regard, Oman on Sunday decided in-principle to invest in India for the revival of closed plants of Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCI) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Ltd, and also for the expansion of the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF) through investment by the Oman Oil Company (an Omani Government company).
Working group
India and Oman have agreed to form a senior-level working group comprising representatives of the Indian Government, RCF, KRIBHCO (Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd) and Oman Oil Company, to kick off due diligence at the earliest.
In addition to this, both sides are looking at ways to expand the existing capacity of the 16.5 lakh tonnes a year urea project of the Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO) to 25 lakh tonnes, to provide additional gas to the extent of 0.7 MMSCMD.
These were decided during the sixth session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting held here. The Indian delegation was led by the Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, while the Omani side was led by his counterpart, Mr Maqbool Ali Sultan.
Mr Sharma also chaired the Joint Business Council Meeting organised by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI).
The business delegation from India included FICCI President Mr Rajan Mittal. Mr Sharma also called on Omani Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmoud bin Mohammed Al Said.
Petroleum, gas
Mr Sharma said cooperation with Oman in petroleum, gas and fertiliser sectors was a priority area for the Indian Government. India-Oman trade touched $4.5 billion last year, while total bilateral investment is worth $7.5 billion.
Among other developments, BPCL and Oman Oil Marketing Company have decided to explore the possibility of setting up a lube blending plant in Oman and marketing in neighbouring countries.
Besides, Mr Sharma stressed on the need for the India-Oman Joint Investment Fund to be operationalised and augmented immediately. The fund was started in November 2008 with a seed capital of $100 million and is likely to be increased to $1.5 billion.
Sectors that have been identified for investment cooperation are: agriculture, infrastructure, hospitals, power, mining, oil and gas, education and skill development, tourism, healthcare, infrastructure, chemicals and fertilisers.
Hospitals
Oman said it is keen to set up super-speciality hospitals in India and diagnostic facilities in the form of joint ventures. In this regard, an Omani delegation would visit India shortly. Investments in agro processing, especially in SEZs in India, were also discussed.
Mr Sharma said since Oman is strategically located and has entered into Free Trade Agreements with many countries including the US, Indian companies can make use of these by setting up manufacturing facilities in Oman and exporting to these countries.
Mr Sharma also said India would soon send another business delegation to explore opportunities of investments in Oman, especially in its Sohar Free Trade Zone.
When American officials are asked to explain the country's largest weapons sale ever, including $100 billion-worth of arms to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States, they mutter one word behind their hands.
Iran. The justification for this colossal sale of firepower to governments with less than glorious records of behaviour towards their own people or their neighbours is that it will contain Iran's ambitions to be the dominant player in the Middle East sandpit
Her offence was in meeting a former boyfriend, whom she had asked to return pictures he had of her because she was about to marry another man.The couple was sitting in a car when a group of seven Sunni men kidnapped them and raped them both, lawyers in the case told Arab News.The former boyfriend was also sentenced to 90 lashes for being with her in private.The victims' lawyer, Abdul-Rahman al-Lahem, was also ordered to face disciplinary action after he spoke to the media about the original sentence."My client is the victim of this abhorrent crime. I believe her sentence contravenes the Islamic Sharia law and violates the pertinent international conventions," he said."The judicial bodies should have dealt with this girl as the victim rather than the culprit."The court blamed the girl for being alone with unrelated men, but it should have taken the humane view that it cannot
Indian Prime Minister may visit UAE before year-end2010-09-20 17:30:00
Abu Dhabi, Sep 20 (IANS/WAM) Spouses of Indian defence officials Monday met the members of General Women's Union (GWU) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a cultural exchange programme.
The delegation of the Indian National Defence College visited the GWU headquarters to learn various aspects of Emirati women and the Union's skill development programmes.
The delegation also toured the handicrafts and environmental centre of the GWU to be acquainted with the UAE's traditional industries and its heritage.
--IANS/WAM
The talk is that security ageement will involve: training, strategy and tactics.By
* Joseph George
Published Thursday, September 23, 2010
Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to visit the UAE by the year end. (AFP)
The Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, may be visiting the UAE before the end of the year, according to an official at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
“Details of the programme are being worked out. Most probably it will be scheduled before the end of 2010,” said the official.
During the India-United Arab Emirates Political Consultations held on Sunday in Abu Dhabi it was agreed to intensify exchange of “high-level visits” between the two countries to consolidate the “excellent relations” at the political level.
Among the major issues discussed during the meeting were security cooperation between India and the UAE and the issue of prisoner transfer.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE and India are likely to sign agreements on security cooperation and transfer of prisoners to boost their bilateral ties. “The agreement is to be signed at the ministerial level and it could well happen during the Prime Minister’s visit,” the official added.
The plan is for convicted Indian prisoners, provided they are not involved in financial crimes and not serving death penalty, to be sent to prisons in India to serve the sentence. The maintenance cost will be borne by the UAE. According to media reports there are about 1,300 Indians in UAE jails.
Indian Ambassador M K Lokesh told Emirates 24|7 that although the exact dates have not been finalised, the process ha been expedited.
The two teams also agreed to convene the Ministerial level India-UAE Joint Commission meeting at the earliest. The last meeting was held in 2007.
The UAE delegation was headed by Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while the Indian delegation was led by Vijayalatha Reddy, Secretary (East) in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The two sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and agreed to intensify exchange of high level visits between the two countries “to consolidate the excellent relations at the political level.”
The discussions also focused on UAE investments in the aviation, ports, telecommunications and oil and gas sectors. The Indian side proposed that the India-UAE Trade policy forum set up by the two countries to facilitate bilateral trade should be made more active. It requested more investment from the UAE in India especially in the infrastructural areas.
Turkey-Pakistan relationship should be watched.Sanjay M wrote:As I've said, Turkey will soon become Israel's foremost enemy, surpassing Iran:
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribun ... _09_15.asp