Why India is important for Saudi Arabia? Will they strike strategic deal that may reshape South Asia politics?

The article first appeared on DNA on April 22, 2025. Over the past decade, India and Saudi Arabia have steadily deepened a partnership that now spans trade, energy, defense, and the mobilization of a vast diaspora. This coming week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will touch down in Riyadh once again—his fourth visit to the kingdom—at a moment when Saudi Arabia itself is undergoing one of the most dramatic policy overhauls in its modern history. Driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, the desert monarchy is racing to wean its economy off oil, pouring capital into infrastructure, tourism, entertainment, sports, healthcare and cutting-edge technologies. Spurred on by falling oil prices and a desire to secure its geopolitical standing beyond the Gulf, Riyadh is aggressively diversifying its revenue streams and beefing up its defense capabilities. For India, this transformation comes at an opportune moment. As the world’s fifth-largest economy and home to a skilled, young workforce of nearly 1.4 billion people, New Delhi is looking to broaden its energy suppliers even as it invites foreign capital into infrastructure, manufacturing and digital services. The Saudi market—already familiar with Indian traders, entrepreneurs and professionals—offers New Delhi not only a stable destination for investment but also the promise of strategic alignment in a rapidly shifting Middle East. And with nearly 3 million Indians living and working in Saudi Arabia, there is an active, transnational bridge linking the two governments’ ambitions. Their most concrete expression of this deepening bond came in October 2019, when Prime Minister Modi and King Salman inaugurated the India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) in Riyadh. Designed to meet at ministerial level every two years, the Council brings together ten specialized working groups—covering energy, defense production, counter-terrorism, trade and investment, agriculture, education and culture. At that inaugural gathering, New Delhi and Riyadh inked no fewer than twelve memoranda of understanding, laying the groundwork for cooperation in civil aviation, energy technology transfer, mining, and joint military exercises. Perhaps the crown jewel of these accords is the planned $50 billion West Coast Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, to be built in Maharashtra by Saudi Aramco in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian conglomerates. Slated to become one of the world’s largest refining hubs, the project not only guarantees a long-term market for Saudi crude but also promises to turbocharge India’s downstream sector, create tens of thousands of jobs and catalyze ancillary industries across the region. For Riyadh, it cements a foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets; for New Delhi, it locks in supply security and attracts much-needed foreign direct investment. But beyond balance sheets and boardrooms, there is a subtler dimension at play: the realignment of global power in the wake of rising protectionism. As U.S. policy under President Donald Trump has at times pitted Washington against both Riyadh and New Delhi—whether through trade tariffs or energy pricing disputes—each country has quietly sought to hedge its bets by broadening its network of allies. India’s outreach to Saudi Arabia reflects this dual imperative: to secure the long-term flow of crude and capital, and to project its own influence into the broader Middle East. For the kingdom, partnering with Asia’s rising giant offers a valuable counterweight to American and European dominance in the region. When Prime Minister Modi arrives in Riyadh, he’ll attend business roundtables, energy forums and cultural events that underscore just how far this relationship has traveled. More than ceremonial photo-ops, these meetings will test the mettle of an alliance forged not only by history—but by a shared determination to navigate an uncertain geopolitical landscape together. In a world where oil prices can swing on a tweet, and trading partners can shift with the next election cycle, India and Saudi Arabia appear determined to write their own playbook—one that knits together economic opportunity, strategic cooperation and the aspirations of millions on both sides. Read more on DNA Find more Global Indian Top Reads

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J.D. Vance in Delhi: What’s on U.S. Vice President’s India agenda?

The article first appeared in The Hindu on Apr 21, 2025.

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Indian H-1B holders caught in layoffs, visa chaos and shutdowns across US firms

The article first appeared in Business Today on Apr 16, 2025. Thousands of Indian professionals working in the United States, especially those on H-1B visas, are now grappling with a twin crisis: a wave of corporate layoffs and a tightening immigration environment. This unfortunate convergence is leaving many on the brink of deportation or forced relocation, despite years of hard work and long-standing contributions to their employers and the U.S. economy. The layoffs sweeping across tech, consumer goods, and manufacturing industries are hitting foreign workers the hardest. With limited time to find new employment or secure a visa transfer, many are left scrambling for solutions—or packing their bags. For H-1B holders, the 60-day grace period following a job loss often isn't enough to land a new role and complete the cumbersome visa paperwork. On platforms like Reddit and X, affected professionals are sharing heartbreaking stories. One tech worker recounted being denied entry into the U.S. despite having a new job offer, simply because their visa transfer was still pending. “They cancelled my B1 and H1B visas. I was devastated,” the individual wrote. Another Indian worker who had just secured a coveted H-1B slot after years of waiting expressed disbelief when their employer suddenly withdrew sponsorship. “I made a serious impact here… and all of a sudden, no sponsorship—AFTER I GOT SELECTED?!” For those still on STEM OPT, the clock is ticking even faster. One such worker shared their experience after 10 years of studying and working in the U.S.: “I have only 10 months left… If they don’t sponsor me and also fire me, no one will hire me in time. I’d be forced to go back to a home country on the brink of civil war.” These stories underscore the emotional and logistical strain on immigrant professionals navigating an unforgiving system. Many have built lives, families, and careers in the U.S., only to face uncertainty overnight. The current climate reveals not just the fragility of immigration-dependent employment but also the urgent need for more compassionate, streamlined policies that protect skilled workers from such devastating upheavals... Read more at Business Today  Find more Global Indian Top Reads  

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Trump’s Trade War With China Could Be Good for India. But Is It Ready?

The article first appeared in NY Times on Apr 15, 2025. As global supply chains shift under the weight of geopolitical tensions, India finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. With the U.S. considering a fresh wave of tariffs on Chinese goods, including a steep 60% levy under Donald Trump’s proposed trade strategy, businesses around the world are urgently seeking alternatives to Chinese manufacturing. For India, this could be the long-awaited moment to establish itself as a credible global manufacturing hub. The opportunity is real and growing. Major economies are reconsidering their dependence on China, especially in electronics, textiles, and machinery. India, with its vast labor force and favorable demographics, seems like a natural successor. Yet, the journey from potential to performance is riddled with challenges. On the ground, manufacturers in India face a chronic shortage of skilled labor, which hampers productivity and quality. Despite millions entering the workforce each year, vocational training and practical experience remain limited. Beyond human resources, manufacturers struggle to secure key components due to underdeveloped supply networks and weak logistics infrastructure. Even when goods are produced, they often face delays at ports, customs, and checkpoints—reflecting the persistent bureaucratic inefficiencies India is known for. The government has rolled out initiatives like “Make in India” and production-linked incentives (PLIs) to attract foreign investment. While these policies are helping, systemic issues—like inconsistent state-level regulations, unpredictable policy shifts, and unreliable electricity—continue to deter investors who might otherwise consider India a serious alternative to China or Vietnam. Multinational companies are cautiously optimistic. Some are expanding operations in India or building secondary supply bases. However, few are willing to make a full-scale pivot away from China just yet. For India to truly capitalize on this global transition, it must go beyond headline reforms and focus on executing reliable, on-the-ground improvements—particularly in training, logistics, and governance. In essence, India stands at the threshold of transformation. The opportunity to become the world’s next manufacturing powerhouse has never been greater, but whether the country can overcome its structural bottlenecks remains uncertain. The world is watching, and the decisions India makes now could define its economic trajectory for decades.... Read more at NY Times Find more Global Indian Top Reads  

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India Sees Opportunity in Trump’s Global Turbulence. That Could Backfire.

The article first appeared in Emissary on Apr 9, 2025.

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We need to engage with Ambedkar’s legacy in all its complexity and urgency

The article first appeared in The Indian Express on Apr 14, 2025. What a remarkable reversal of fortune history has delivered. B R Ambedkar — once denounced by orthodox caste Hindus and dismissed by Congress and the Left as a sectarian figure — has emerged as one of the most invoked and revered personalities in Indian public life. His stature has grown so immense that even the tone and context in which his name is uttered in Parliament can provoke a political storm. This shift can be attributed to the politicisation and consolidation of Dalit identity around Ambedkar’s legacy — a reality that dominant caste-led political parties, for reasons of electoral expediency, dare not challenge in public discourse.

The enduring iconisation of Babasaheb by Dalits — despite relentless hostility and acts of desecration directed at his statues — has drawn both incredulity and resentment from sections of India’s elite. Sadly, the public discourse around Ambedkar continues to be constrained by two dominant frameworks — either his legacy is reduced to a tool of instrumentalist electoral politics, or Dalits are subject to moral scrutiny for their passionate reverence. Both approaches obscure the full breadth of his legacy, which encompasses his spirit, actions, and writings. Ambedkar provides us with an ethical and political compass to navigate the complex crises of our time...

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