Al Ahram , p.5, (15/9/2008)

The Arab Indian relations

By: Abdel Moti Ahmad

Our knowledge of India does not exceed some exotic tales about this country. Therefore, we called it the country of wonders and strange stories although the Arab gulf region has played an important role in the commercial activities between the Arabs and India. A book entitled: "The Arab and Indian ties" was written by Sayed Sulaiman Al Nadawi and translated by Dr. Ahmad Mohammad Abdel Rahman, Professor of Urdu At Al Azhar University reviews the history of the Arab-Indian ties.

There was a close contact between India and the Levant countries, particularly Iraq, during the Buddhist era. The Arab-Indian ties went up and down till Islam came to India. The Arabs used to land in the seaports located in the south of India on their way to Sri Lanka. Thus some Indian words entered the Arabic language like Moaz, Kafour, Sandal, Misk and Zangabil.

The Arab conquest of India was during the reign of Al Walid Ibn Abdel Malik at the orders of Al Hagag Ibn Youssif Al Thakafey. Maltan (currently Pakistan) was the first capital of the Arabs in India. Ties continued to flourish till they entered a new stage after the partition of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan in 1947. By then, the majority of the Arab countries got their independence and the Arab Indian ties have become so close. Egypt is the largest Arab country and there were ties between the national movements in both countries. There were close ties between Nehru and Naseer and the two countries led the NAM during the Cold War.

As for the Indian ties with the Gulf countries, they were based on cooperation. Those countries are considered an important trade partner to Indian. Furthermore, there has been military cooperation between those countries and India. India also depends on this region in sourcing its oil and gas requirements. Therefore, one of the goals of the Indian foreign policy is to maintain good relations with those Arab countries.

The book is a valuable contribution to the Arab literary heritage and it deserves to be read as it shed more light on the Arab Indian ties.