Bilateral
Relations
India
has traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations with Arab countries.
These relations date back to ancient times. There are important Indian
investments in countries stretching from Oman to Egypt, Sudan and beyond. There
have been cultural ties with the region throughout history. Much of India’s
external trade passes along the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
India’s staunch commitment to the Palestinian cause, common views on major
international developments and strong economic and commercial relations form
the foundations of India. India’s institutionalised ties with Arab League have
further strengthened India’s relations with Arab countries and this is
exemplified by the exchanges that have taken place between India and Arab League
in recent years.
Indian
Community in Arab region
After
the oil boom in major Arab countries, India was among the highest country which
have sent its skilled and non-skilled labourer to fulfil the scarcity of
manpower caused to the large industrial and infrastructure projects. In spite
of unfavourable circumstance after Arab spring, Indian diaspora is increased in
Arab region during the last six years. As on December 2016, total NRI Indians
in Arab region are around the nine million. Majority of Indians reside in Saudi
Arabia (36%), UAE (33%), Kuwait (11%), Oman (9%) and Qatar (7%) among the total
Indians in Arab region. These Indian NRIs in Arab region contribute more than
half (56%) share of total remittance inflow in India. As per 2015 estimates,
total remittance received by India from Arab countries are 38644 million USD.
India’s
trade with Arab
India’s
trade with Arab countries are around 894 Crore INR during the month of November
2016, which includes export of 340 Crore INR and import of 555 Crore INR. Total Arab region constitutes of 17% of total
India’s trade with the world. Leading countries among the Arab region for
India’s total trade are UAE (44%), Saudi Arabia (23%), Iraq (10%), Qatar (7%)
and Kuwait (5%). Overall balance of trade with Arab countries are unfavourable
due to large import of petroleum oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait,
while it has favourable trade with UAE, Oman and Egypt due to large export.
India’s
investment with Arab
Arab
countries are not much favourable nations to the investment for India, except
of UAE. Total investment inflows from Arab countries to India are 83 USD
million for the January 2017 and it constitutes to 4.47% only for the total
investment inflows of India. While outward investment for Arab region from
India are 41.41 USD million during January 2017 and it constitutes to 2.28% only
for the total investment outflows from India.
India’s
Tourism Relationship with Arab
India
received 334 thousand foreign tourist from the Arab region during the year
2015, which constitute four percent of total tourist arrival in India. Leading
countries are Oman (31%), Saudi Arabia (19%) and UAE (16%). While total Indian
visited Arab countries in the year 2013 are 3773 thousand (excluding UAE). Most
of India visited the Arab region due to pilgrim reason in Saudi Arabia (45% of
total visitor in Arab region).
Updated
on March 2017
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