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Meeting No: 2516 486 9814
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Abstract

This webinar explores the dynamic relationship between the Middle East and the Indian economy, highlighting trade, energy security, investment flows, and emerging strategic partnerships. As India deepens ties with key regional economies such as United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, cooperation spans hydrocarbons, infrastructure, food security, fintech, and renewable energy. The session will examine the impact of geopolitical shifts, diaspora contributions, and initiatives like the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor on growth prospects. Experts will discuss opportunities, risks, and the evolving role of the Gulf in shaping India’s trade resilience, investment landscape, and long-term economic transformation.

About the Speakers

Amb. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed

Dr Ausaf Sayeed (b. September 18, 1963) is a former Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of External Affairs and former Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia and Yemen and its High Commissioner to Seychelles.A member of the 1989 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Dr Sayeed has significantly contributed to India’s diplomatic, geopolitical, economic, cultural, and consular engagements worldwide during his 34-year-long illustrious career. He dedicated 18 years of his career to the Middle East, including 10 years in various roles in Saudi Arabia.As Secretary (CPV & OIA), he was also responsible for all matters relating to Consular, Passport, Visa, Extradition, Overseas Emigration and Indian Diaspora. He also handled India’s political and economic relations with all the Gulf (GCC) and West Asia & North Africa (WANA) countries.

Dr Sayeed is widely recognised as a strategic thinker who focuses on fostering business development between India and the Middle East. His efforts were instrumental in transforming India’s relations with Saudi Arabia and other West Asian countries, promoting trade, investments, and joint ventures while fostering closer security and defence ties. Dr Sayeed is a native of Hyderabad and holds a Master of Science and a PhD in Geology from Osmania University and an Advanced Diploma in Arabic from the American University in Cairo. He is a Competent Toastmaster and recipient of the Shri Y.G.K. Murthy Gold Medal from Osmania University. He also received the prestigious Yoga Mithra Award from S-Vyasa University, Bengaluru, for his efforts in promoting Yoga in Saudi Arabia.

He is a prolific columnist and author and has published four books, two of which are on India’s Art and Culture.

Lt. Gen. P.S. Rajeshwar

Lt Gen PS Rajeshwar was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in December 1980. A gunner and aviator, he is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Army War College and National Defence College(s) in New Delhi and Philippines. He has actively taken part in Operation Meghdoot and Operation Rakshak. He commanded a Medium Regiment in Operation Parakram, an infantry brigade on the Line of Control, a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir and a Corps in the Desert sector.

He also served on key staff assignments and UN Peacekeeping missions in Mozambique and Rwanda. His apex responsibilities, both tri-service, included the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) and the Commander-in Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN) from where he retired in May 2020.

Prof. Ashwini Mohapatra

Ashwini Mohapatra is a Professor at Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. In the faculty of the School of International Studies (SIS), JNU, Prof. Aswini K. Mohapatra is an outstanding teacher with over thirty years of teaching and research experience. He has successfully guided research works of seventy-five PhD and M. Phil scholars. In addition to a self-authored book, Foreign Policy of Turkey: Continuity & Change and edited volume titled Revisiting Hill-Valley Connection in Northeast India by Macmillan, he has published a number of research papers and articles in referred journals, edited volumes and periodicals, and in the leading newspapers of the country. Another book titled Decolonising the Indian Mind: Exploring Possibilities edited by him is under publication. Prof. Mohapatra was the visiting Professor at the Chou University, Tokyo, Japan, Visiting Fellow to Maison Des Sciences De L’Homme (MSH), Paris, France and the European Union (EU) Visitor to Brussels.

Prof. Mohapatra has served as a member of the Society of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata, Ministry of Culture between 2018 and 2023, and as a member of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi between 2017 and 2023. Currently, he is a member of the Press Council of India, New Delhi.

Prof. Srikanth Kondapalli

Srikanth Kondapalli is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chinese Studies and Professor in Chinese Studies at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is currently Chairperson of Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Research Associate at Centre for Chinese Studies, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He served at Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses, New Delhi for nearly 12 years. He is educated in Chinese studies in India and China with a specialisation in Modern Chinese History in Master of Arts at Osmania University at Hyderabad, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in 1989 and 1995 respectively in Chinese Studies Division of School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He learnt Chinese language at Beijing Language & Culture University and was a post-Doctoral Visiting Fellow at People's University, Beijing from 1996-98. He was a Visiting Professor at National Chengchi University, Taipei in 2004 and a Visiting Fellow at China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Beijing in May 2007.

He has published several books, monographs, co-edited and several articles in edited books and in national and international journals and newspapers. He has presented several research papers at national and international conferences and lectured at Indian academic, defence, and media establishments. He is a guest faculty member at National Defence College, College of Naval Warfare, Army War College, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Academy and Border Security Force Academy.