Arab-India Partnership Conference 2012

The Arab-India Partnership Conference 2012 was a major diplomatic and economic event held to strengthen cooperation between India and the member states of the League of Arab States. It aimed to enhance bilateral trade, investment, energy collaboration, and cultural exchange. Organised under the theme of promoting mutual prosperity, the conference served as a platform for dialogue between business leaders, government officials, and policy-makers from both regions.

Background and Context

India and the Arab world share a historical relationship rooted in trade, culture, and shared civilisational ties. The Arab-India Partnership Conference was conceived as a mechanism to institutionalise these relations through regular high-level interaction. The initiative followed the First Arab-India Cooperation Forum, which was established under the framework of the Delhi Declaration of 2008. This declaration outlined a roadmap for cooperation in political, economic, and socio-cultural fields.
The second edition of the Arab-India Partnership Conference took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 22 to 23 May 2012, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The event followed the first conference held in New Delhi in 2008, which had laid the foundation for structured economic engagement.

Objectives and Agenda

The 2012 conference was primarily focused on expanding trade and investment linkages. It aimed to:

• Promote joint ventures between Indian and Arab enterprises.
• Enhance cooperation in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology.
• Facilitate people-to-people contact and educational exchange.
• Explore avenues for collaboration in information technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and tourism.

The agenda included several sessions devoted to economic policy, trade facilitation, and sector-specific opportunities. Special emphasis was placed on food security, energy security, and investment in manufacturing and services sectors, areas of common interest to both India and the Arab countries.

Participation and Representation

The conference saw participation from over 200 delegates, including ministers, diplomats, senior officials, and business leaders. From the Arab world, representatives from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan were in attendance. On the Indian side, the delegation was led by the Minister of State for External Affairs, accompanied by senior representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, FICCI, and various state governments.
Prominent organisations such as the Arab Businessmen Forum, Confederation of Arab Industries, and Arab League’s Economic Affairs Department also took part. The broad-based participation reflected the commitment of both regions to expanding their economic and political partnership.

Key Themes and Discussions

The discussions during the conference revolved around mutual economic complementarities. The Arab countries, with their resource-rich economies and capital surplus, were viewed as ideal partners for India’s fast-growing markets and skilled workforce.
Major themes included:

• Energy Cooperation: Strengthening long-term supply arrangements and joint ventures in refining, petrochemicals, and renewable energy projects.
• Infrastructure Development: Encouraging Arab investments in India’s transport, housing, and industrial sectors through public-private partnerships.
• Food and Agriculture: Collaboration in agribusiness, irrigation technology, and food processing to address food security concerns.
• Banking and Finance: Exploring new financial instruments and banking networks to support trade and investment flows.
• Technology and Education: Enhancing cooperation in scientific research, IT training, and academic partnerships.

The conference also highlighted the potential for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to play a vital role in strengthening trade links. Business-to-business (B2B) meetings were organised to facilitate networking and partnerships between Indian and Arab entrepreneurs.

Economic Significance

The event underscored the growing importance of India-Arab trade relations. By 2012, bilateral trade between India and the Arab world had exceeded US$145 billion, making the region one of India’s largest trading partners. India’s dependence on Arab nations for crude oil imports was a central feature of this relationship, while Arab investors viewed India as a promising destination for diversified investment.
The conference encouraged the creation of joint investment mechanisms, including sovereign wealth fund participation and infrastructure financing. Several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Indian and Arab business groups during the event, covering sectors such as energy, education, and technology transfer.

Political and Diplomatic Dimensions

Beyond economic collaboration, the Arab-India Partnership Conference also carried a significant diplomatic message. It reaffirmed India’s support for the stability and development of the Arab region, particularly in the context of the Arab Spring movements that had recently reshaped the political landscape. The forum provided an opportunity for mutual understanding on regional and global issues, including counter-terrorism, maritime security, and sustainable development.
India’s engagement with the Arab world has historically been guided by principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and shared prosperity. The 2012 conference thus reinforced India’s position as a strategic partner in the Arab region’s economic diversification and reconstruction efforts.

Outcomes and Legacy

The 2012 edition of the Arab-India Partnership Conference succeeded in revitalising dialogue and laying the groundwork for sustained cooperation. It helped institutionalise channels for government-to-business and business-to-business interaction, which continued in subsequent years.
Following the 2012 conference, both regions saw increased investment flows and greater participation in joint projects. The conference also contributed to the establishment of periodic ministerial meetings and sectoral working groups to monitor and advance agreed areas of cooperation.