The world today stands at a sensitive crossroads. Rising global tensions have led many to fear the possibility of a wider conflict, with concerns even being raised about a potential Third World War. The Middle East is once again at the centre of attention, with growing strains involving Iran, Israel, USA and the long-standing Palestinian issue.
At the same time, there remains hope that wisdom and diplomacy will prevail before divisions deepen further. In moments like these, it is important not only to focus on the immediate crisis but also to reflect on the long historical ties and events that have shaped relations across this region and the wider world.
Much has been said about the tensions in the Gulf, particularly between Iran and several Arab nations such as the Emirates and their allies. Yet the modern political map of the Gulf is relatively recent. The term “Emirates” only came into common use in the latter half of the twentieth century. Before their independence, the small sheikhdoms of the Gulf, places we know today as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman and others, were once known as the Trucial States, so named because of the truces they had signed with the British Empire.
During the colonial period these territories were closely connected to India. Administratively they were linked with the Bombay Presidency and even their currency was the Indian rupee. Many young members of ruling families from the region studied in Indian cities such as Mumbai or Pune, as the stipends provided by the colonial authorities were often insufficient to support education in Britain. The historical ties between India and the Gulf therefore run far deeper than modern geopolitics might suggest.
Much of this history may not be widely known, but it has been discussed and documented in various articles over the years in Gujarat Samachar, New Life and Asian Voice, as well as in our several special magazines.
Early Islamic influence in South Asia and Central Asia
Looking further back, in 712 AD the Arab general Muhammad bin Qasim led a small force from present-day Basra, Iraq into Sindh. He defeated the last Hindu Brahmin ruler of the region, Raja Dahir, establishing Islamic rule there for a period.
Although that early political control did not last long, it marked the beginning of the wider spread of Islam in parts of South Asia. In the centuries that followed, Islamic influence expanded through trade, migration and the movements of Central Asian and Turkic groups, reaching across regions from Iran and Afghanistan to present-day Pakistan, Central Asia and parts of western China.
In Xinjiang, the Uyghurs trace parts of their cultural and religious heritage to these historical connections. Many also link their identity to the legacy of Central Asian rulers such as Timur. Today, however, the situation of Uyghur Muslims has become an international concern, with reports that many are living under strict controls and detentions in China. This complex history shows how religion, culture and migration have shaped societies across Asia for centuries and continue to influence global events today.
Afghanistan was once home to strong Hinduism and Buddhism traditions. By the 8th and 9th centuries AD, however, Islam became the dominant faith in the region.
Over time, people from Afghanistan and nearby areas increasingly looked towards the richer regions of the Indian subcontinent, especially parts of present-day Pakistan and northern India, which had long been centres of agriculture, trade and prosperity.
The wider region of Central Asia, including present-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, was historically home to many tribes and ruling groups. From these lands came several waves of migrations and invasions into the Indian subcontinent over many centuries, even before the rise of the Mughal Empire.
Gujarat: India’s gateway to the world
For centuries, Gujarat was an important gateway for international trade. Before the rise of Surat, ports such as Bharuch (Broach) and Khambhat (Cambay) were major harbours linking India with the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.
These long connections made Gujarat a region open to global influences. Over time, the Gujarati language absorbed words from Arabic, Persian, Portuguese and other languages, reflecting centuries of interaction with traders from around the world.
Among the most active traders in this maritime network were merchants from Mandvi and the wider Kutch region. Kutchi traders regularly sailed across the Arabian Sea, building strong commercial links with Muscat and other Gulf ports. Historical sites such as the Bhatia Haveli reflect the presence and influence of these early trading communities. Prominent merchant families, including the Khimji Ramdas, also established themselves there, strengthening the long-standing commercial and cultural ties between India and the Gulf.
Much of this trade involved valuable goods such as spices and textiles from the Indian subcontinent. The spice trade in particular was closely connected with the ports of Kerala.
India’s maritime influence also extended far to the East. Traders from southern India, particularly from the Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh, sailed across the seas to Southeast Asia. Over time, these journeys encouraged trade and cultural exchange with regions such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries. Elements of Hinduism and Indian traditions shaped parts of Southeast Asia and traces of this heritage can still be seen today in language, architecture and historical monuments.
During a recent visit to New Delhi, Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia remarked that culturally his “DNA is Hindu,” that shows the deep historical ties between Indian civilisation and Indonesia. Yet today Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, showing how cultures evolve while still preserving links to their past.
Historical accounts also note that Islam spread to parts of Indonesia including Java, Sumatra and Borneo through maritime trade routes connected to the Indian port of Surat.
The legacy of Indian merchants in East Africa
The spread of Islam and later Muslim influence in parts of East Africa was also closely linked to maritime routes across the Indian Ocean. Seasonal trade winds made travel between the Arabian Peninsula, India and the East African coast predictable, encouraging merchants and communities to move and settle across these regions.
Indian traders played an important role in the economic and cultural life of the East African coast. They contributed to the development of centres such as Madagascar, Kilindini, Mombasa, Bagamoyo, Tanga and Dar-es-Salaam. Among these coastal centres, islands of Zanzibar and Pemba became especially important as a hub of trade and cultural exchange.
At one point in history, internal disputes within the ruling family of Muscat led a branch of the Omani leadership to move its base to Zanzibar. Over time, this led to the creation of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, which strengthened political and commercial links between Oman, East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean trading world.
In this wider historical context, it is important to recognise the role played by trading communities from Kutch and other parts of India in shaping the commercial history of East Africa.
By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Indian merchants, particularly Gujaratis from Kutch and Saurashtra had established active trading networks along the East African coast with the support of Said bin Sultan. Early pioneers such as Jairam Shivji and Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee strengthened commercial and financial links connecting India with Muscat, Zanzibar, Mombasa and Nairobi.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, merchants such as Karimjee Jivanjee and Alidina Visram expanded these networks further, building major commercial enterprises across Kenya and Uganda.
This tradition continued through influential entrepreneurs such as Nanji Kalidas Mehta and prominent business families including the Madhvani Group and the Vadera family. Collectively, these communities built vibrant trading networks across the Indian Ocean and played a lasting role in shaping the economic and social development of East Africa.
As Manubhai Madhvani later reflected, later generations were fortunate to follow the path laid by those early pioneers, men who came to Africa not as colonisers, but as traders who built businesses, strengthened economies and forged lasting friendships between communities.
India’s Present-Day diplomacy and heritage
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often shown a strong interest in history and heritage. He travelled to Geneva and Zurich to pay tribute to Indian freedom fighter Shyamji Krishna Varma. His legacy is also honoured through a museum established in Mandvi, Kutch, reconnecting the town with its historical significance.
In foreign policy, India has sought to maintain balanced relations across the Middle East. Today, the Middle East is home to a large and successful Indian diaspora that is widely respected for its contributions to the community, business and culture. PM Modi has often described this global community as a “living bridge”. A powerful symbol of this harmony is the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi. Standing proudly in the UAE, the mandir reflects unity, mutual respect and the strong bond between India and the Middle East.
Across the region, temples and community institutions such as the Shiva and Krishna Mandir Dubai, Motishwar Mandir Muscat, ISKCON Temple Bahrain, Krishna Temple Qatar, Shree Hingraj Mataji Mandir Yemen and the Aden Jain Temple continue to preserve Indian heritage and strengthen cultural ties between India and the Middle East.
Alongside its close ties with Arab nations, India also maintains engagement with Iran and continues dialogue with Palestine. At the same time, India shares a strong relationship with Israel and its leadership, including Benjamin Netanyahu.
Because of these relationships, India today holds a unique diplomatic position. Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly emphasised that war is not the solution and that the Palestinian issue must ultimately be resolved through dialogue and peaceful negotiation. In an increasingly uncertain world, such calls for balance and diplomacy carry special importance. It is possible that, in time, these ideas may gain wider acceptance as nations search for a path toward peace and stability.
Understanding the complexities of Iran and Israel
It is also important to recognise the complex realities within Iran. The country is home to many ethnic groups and communities with different identities and histories, held together over time under a strong central government. One of the major challenges in the region remains Iran’s long-standing refusal to recognise the state of Israel, along with the hostile rhetoric that has often accompanied this stance. These tensions continue to deepen mistrust across the region.
At the same time, the reality today is that Jewish people have established their homeland in Israel and continue to live there. The key question now is not about reversing history but about finding a practical and peaceful path forward. Even Israeli leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu, have at times acknowledged that a lasting solution must also address the aspirations of the Palestine and the Palestinian people. Ultimately, lasting peace will depend on all sides recognising each other’s existence and working towards a balanced and just settlement for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The world may indeed feel uncertain at this moment, but our Indian history reminds us that cooperation and shared interests have often prevailed over division. The Indian Ocean once served as a bridge connecting continents, cultures and faiths. Perhaps the same spirit of engagement and mutual respect can again guide the world towards a more stable and peaceful future. There is no better option.
