The second is a commitment to omni-directional engagement. The arc of crisis is beset by severe internal contradictions. Given their multiple interests in the Middle East, great powers do not take sides between Arabs and Israel, the Shia and Sunni, or even Kabul and Islamabad until it becomes absolutely unavoidable. India too must shed its past ideological approach and focus on pragmatic engagement of all sides.

The third is sustained diplomatic outreach. For all his travels around the world, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has not found time to visit our western neighbours, barring once to Afghanistan. The last time an Indian external affairs minister visited Saudi Arabia was in 2001. Forget ministers, secretary-level officers from the MEA have not visited many African countries for decades. The PM and the foreign minister need to frequently show the flag and listen to the rulers in our western neighbourhood during 2007.

The fourth is about leveraging the Islamic. India’s links to its western neighbours are multifarious and include the cultural, political, economic and religious. If New Delhi has the political imagination, the Indian Muslim community, instead of being seen as a political entity, could easily become a potent force in India’s ‘Look West’ policy.

The fifth is the centrality of Pakistan. Whether we like it or not, normalisation of relations with Pakistan holds the key to a successful ‘Look West’ policy. Whether it is in gaining overland access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, ensuring India’s energy security, expanding ties with the Gulf, or limiting the threat of Islamic extremism and terrorism in the subcontinent, cooperation with Pakistan is essential. Dr Singh should no longer delay his already much delayed visit to Pakistan. He must not only explore ways to resolve such bilateral disputes such as Jammu and Kashmir but also seek to promote regional security along with Afghanistan.

... contd.