Change in West Asia Inevitable: Talmiz Ahmed

Mr. Talmiz Ahmed, a leading expert on the West Asian affairs, said that the change that has been triggered by the Arab Spring in 2011 will bring about a change of governance in the Gulf States. “While I can say that the change would come for sure, I cannot say when it would come. May be five years; or may be 10 years,” he said.

Ahmed who has served as India’s ambassador to several countries in the Gulf including twice in Saudi Arabia was speaking with the students and staff of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University on Wednesday on “Four Years After the Arab Spring.”

He said that those who believe the Arab Spring is over because of the overthrow of the elected government in Egypt or the changing situation in Syria and Yemen are failing to take into consideration that the idea of change has already taken roots in the people of West Asia. It would not go away with the regimes coming hard on the protesters. “This is a new generation of people who do not see conflict between Islam and the democracy like the previous generations. Even the most hardened Islamists are trying to replace the existing regimes with the governments that are in a position to weed out poverty, provide employment and respect human rights,” he said.

In his more than hour-long lecture Mr. Ahmed who has written three books and scores of articles on West Asia and Islam, said that India should play a more significant role in the Gulf and West Asian affairs taking China, Japan and Korea along. Giving reasons for bigger Indian role in West Asian affairs Mr. Ahmed said that between 60 and 80 percent energy requirements of India are met by the countries in the Gulf. At the same the Gulf is host to 8 million Indian workers to who send about $35 billion annually to the country. “We need to think of protecting our interests in the region and should not allow any form of anarchy to set in there,” he said.

The former ambassador said that the weakening of regimes in the region will lead to the gathering of militant groups and coming under the umbrella of organizations like ISIS.

The meeting was presided over by Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Khwaja M. Shahid where In-charge Registrar S M Rahmatullah also spoke.

Mr. Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, Media Coordinator, introduced the guest and conducted the proceedings. Dr. Kaneez Zehra, Head Department of Political Sciences and Public Administration proposed vote of thanks.

Lecture was followed by Question & Answer session. Large number of students, scholars and staff participated.