States » SouthPosted at: Sep 21 2026 5:20PM


India needs 'SHIELD' framework to navigate West Asia conflicts: Col Rajeev Agarwal

Hyderabad, Sep 21 (UNI) India needs a multidimensional approach to navigate the evolving conflicts and fragmentation in West Asia, with greater focus on security, energy resilience, connectivity and strategic autonomy, former Army officer Col Rajeev Agarwal (Retd) said.
Delivering a guest lecture on “Reimagining India’s West Asia Policy amid Regional Conflict and Fragmentation” at the Kautilya School of Public Policy (KSPP), GITAM Deemed to be University, here recently, Agarwal said India's engagement with West Asia had evolved from traditional ties into a strategic partnership encompassing energy, trade, investment, defence, connectivity and security.
He highlighted growing cooperation between India and key West Asian countries in areas including intelligence sharing, cyber security, space, drones and maritime security.
Agarwal underlined the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to India and global energy flows, noting India's dependence on West Asia for crude oil, LNG and LPG.
He also stressed the need to safeguard the interests of India's diaspora and seafarers while strengthening the country's energy resilience and connectivity.
He proposed the “SHIELD” framework for India's engagement with West Asia, comprising Security, Humans First, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Energy Security and Resilience, Linkages through Trade and Investment, and Diplomacy and Strategic Autonomy.
The lecture was attended by students from KSPP and other schools of GITAM, along with KSPP Dean and former diplomat Syed Akbaruddin.
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Tags: #India needs 'SHIELD' framework to navigate West Asia conflicts: Col Rajeev Agarwal
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