Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy with regard to the Arab world stresses the importance of 'shared values' rather than mere 'geographical distance' when defining a neighbour. PM Modi has repeatedly underscored that many Arab states, especially Gulf countries, are India's 'maritime neighbours.' Through this description, PM Modi has reoriented India's neighbourhood policy whereby 'neighbourhood by the sea' is now accorded equal weightage as 'neighbourhood by land.' In the past eleven years, PM Modi's personal imprint has been the pivot of India's flourishing relations with the Arab world. The vigour of the ties stands on five pillars:

Sammaan (Respect): India has consistently upheld the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference, reinforcing its credibility as a trusted partner in the region.

Samvaad (Dialogue): The effective use of high-level diplomacy was evident in the successful negotiation for the unconditional release of Indian Navy veterans from Qatar, underscoring the value of direct and respectful engagement.

Suraksha (Security): India has emerged as a net security provider in the region. A dozen Indian naval ships patrol nearby waters to safeguard global shipping routes from threats posed by pirates and Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea, contributing to regional stability and freedom of navigation.

Samriddhi (Shared Prosperity): Economic collaboration has expanded significantly. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), which traverses the Arab region, promises to reshape connectivity and trade. Meanwhile, India's operationalisation of Iran's Chabahar Port enhances access to Central Asia and the Gulf, anchoring India's long-term economic and strategic outreach.

Sanskriti and Sabhyata (Culture and Civilisation): India's cultural diplomacy has also deepened people-to-people ties. From advancing the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ("the world is one family") during its G20 presidency to the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, India has developed a cultural connection that is rooted in mutual respect and civilisational dialogue.

PM Modi has invested more energy and commitment in cultivating ties with the Arab states than any of his predecessors, resulting in India enjoying a significantly higher profile in the Arab world than ever before. PM Modi's efforts have given India unprecedented respect and importance in the region. Reflecting this, countries in the region have honoured PM Modi with their highest civilian awards: the King Abdulaziz Sash from Saudi Arabia, the Order of the Nile from Egypt, the Zayed Medal from the United Arab Emirates, and the Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer from Kuwait. Bahrain has conferred the Order of the Renaissance on Prime Minister Modi. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Palestine and receive the highest civilian award (Grand Collar of the State of Palestine) for his significant contribution to promoting relations between India and Palestine. These honours reflect the strength and significance of India's relationships with the Arab states under PM Modi's leadership.

PM Modi's approach to India-Arab relations is strategically aligned with India's national interests—securing energy needs, expanding trade and connectivity, protecting maritime routes, and deepening engagement with the Indian diaspora, which plays a vital role in the region's economy and India's global presence. The region accounts for over two-thirds of India's crude oil supplies.

Trade and two-way investment between Arabs and India have been increasing. India's trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reached $184 billion in 2023–24, with over $20 billion in FDI flowing in from Gulf nations—a historic high in economic engagement. Saudi Arabia backed Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest companies by revenue has made an investment that is one of the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in India. India and the United Arab Emirates signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, which has boosted bilateral trade to $83.7 billion in 2023-24.

Also, more than 9 million Indians (30% of overseas Indians) reside in the Gulf. Indians constitute the largest expatriate community in the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. Therefore, PM Modi's development of a personal rapport with the leaders of the Arab states is important. For instance, the release of eight Indian Navy veterans from a Qatari prison in February 2024 (the case which PM Modi 'personally supervised' and captured national attention) demonstrated how PM’s personal goodwill and trust with regional leaders has the potential to pay remarkably high dividends for India especially when the decisions of Arab states are unchallengeable policies.

At the same time, there is growing recognition among Arab states of India's expanding strategic profile. What was once largely limited to trade and economic exchanges has, over the past decade, transformed into a deeper partnership encompassing defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, combating organised crime, and maritime security, including anti-piracy operations. Today, India conducts several joint military exercises with Arab states ("Desert Cyclone" with the UAE, "Ex Cyclone-I" with Egypt, and "SADA TANSEEQ" with Saudi Arabia). The cooperation has raised New Delhi's importance in maintaining the security and stability of the region.

India's rising stature in West Asia is reflected in the growing confidence among regional leaders who see New Delhi as a trusted, constructive, and capable partner in addressing complex political challenges. In fact, it has been this realisation and an acknowledgement of India's "growing weight" in international politics that during his meeting with PM Modi, then Prime Minister of Palestine Mohammad Shtayyeh sought New Delhi's 'well-established and distinguished' role in the region.

The fact that New Delhi is regarded as a credible interlocutor in a region traditionally shaped by conservative political structures and centralised authority is a significant change in the Arab world's outlook towards India — a change driven by PM Modi's sustained outreach and the personal trust he has cultivated with regional leaders.

Today, there is no question that we enjoy excellent relations with the Islamic world. PM Modi's Arab policy, backed by personal rapport, energy, and enthusiasm with the Arab leaders, has set new benchmarks in India- Arab relations. India's engagement is extremely robust, and our relations with the Arab countries are at an all-time high. The expanding arc of India-Arab cooperation is poised to become a vital component of Asian resurgence.