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Journal of Asia Pacific Studies ( 2010) Vol 1, No 2, 259-291
Gulf States and the Conflict between India and
Pakistan
Zahid Shahab Ahmed, University of New England (Australia) and the
International University of Humanities and Social Sciences (San Jose,
Costa Rica)
Stuti Bhatnagar, Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi, India)
Abstract: Traditional cultural and economic ties between the Indian subcontinent
and the Gulf region have existed for several centuries now.
Strengthened further, both India and Pakistan continue to have important
economic and strategic ties with the countries of the Gulf. While the Gulf
region offers substantial economic advantages to both, they also have the
potential to make positive interventions in the bilateral conflict between
India and Pakistan. The following chapter analyses the role and position
of the Gulf Arab States - in particular the member states of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC), and their potential in acting as a buffer for
the Indo-Pak conflict. It will evaluate the official positions of the Gulf
region towards various aspects of the Indo-Pak conflict. The Gulf
countries have often voiced their positions at regional and international
forums. An additional aspect of this relationship is that the Gulf States are
also members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), a pan-
Islamic body which has often addressed issues of contention between India
and Pakistan, particularly with respect to Kashmir. Through an academic
understanding of the issues and incorporating viewpoints of experts in the
area, the chapter seeks to provide fresh insights into an aspect which has
the possibility of becoming a crucial incentive for peace between India
and Pakistan.
Keywords: Pakistan, India, Gulf States, Conflict, Kashmir
Introduction
Traditional cultural and economic ties between the Indian
sub-continent and the Gulf region have existed for several
centuries now. Strengthened further, both India and
Pakistan continue to have important economic and strategic
ties with the countries of the Gulf. While the Gulf region
offers substantial economic advantages to both, they also
have the potential to make positive interventions in the
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