As someone who was resident of Qatar for almost 20 years, shuttling between India and the tiny wealthy arab nation, I remember middle east as an oasis of peace. Its true, they are religious fanatics and I could not even practice my faith in the open. But they never disturbed non muslims either who looked after their own business. In the middle east, we were for a reason: to earn a living. We were aware of their religious fanaticism so we took care not to stoke it. We observed our faith within 4 walls of our home. Other than that, middle east was a peaceful heaven. At least that is how it stays in my memory. As a long time resident of Doha, I came to love the city where I have felt safest and securest. When I lived there, I never thought it was different from my hometown Chennai in India. In my psyche, both merged into one entity. Same was true of Indian expats living in UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and even Saudi. Bahrain, UAE and Oman are liberal arab states where Hindu temples are there and where one can openly practise your Dharma. Still, except for religious reasons as by all other means Qatar was good, I had no complaints. It would hurt when their news agency AlJaze*ra biasedly reported Indian news and were openly anti-Hindu. This was in spite of the fact that 6 million Indians, majority of who were Hindus, made the island nation their second home, who were trustworthy and loyal and worked for the progress of not only India but also Qatar. All in the game. We generally accepted things as they stood and found equilibrium in middle east. The entire region transpired into winter holiday destination and shopping destination for many Indians back home. Major international hub wherefrom flying to US or Europe was most convenient. Now that’s what I will be missing most about middle east. Their airports! The ease of their connectivity. QA – the most punctual and best airlines of all. Days in Qatar won’t come back. I remember them for their tranquility, quiet, peace and calming like I can never have back here in Chennai that is noisy and chaotic. We had the privilege of being in Doha when the world cup football was held in 2022. I have loved shopping in Doha, our evening walks in the souks and in the parks, our visits to the art museums everything. Life was stable. Indian expats engaged in various cultural and artistic activities and lent Qatar such a colour of festivity always. NRI community is most popular in gulf states. Whether consultant doctors or top executives or engineers – they were all Indian. The best schools were Indian. The restaurants and mall chains were owned by Indians. No wonder it felt like home!
Business interests meant we accepted each other as we were. LPG chief supplier to India is Qatar. Oil is sourced from Saudi and UAE. India never keeps all eggs in one basket, Simultaneously India used to source oil from Iran, Russia, etc for one reason: national security. The energy security of this 1.4 billion nation, as the spokesman issued statement, is vital to our government. This was in response to 100% tariff imposition by the US on sanctions on Iran and Russia. One point has to be made clear: India is taking care of her own interests, not the Iranian interests or Russian interests. Oil & gas for this massive nation of 1.4 billion is no joke. Iran has a history of supporting Kashmir separatists. Yet, India maintained trade relations with Iran. With Hormuz closed and with the Red Sea sealed off from Saudi side, cannot imagine a worst scenario for India. Iran was categorically told by our PM in BRICS meet, Delhi, recently of how the nation took serious view of the destruction of two Indian merchant vessels in Hormuz when Iran failed to keep up the promise. I really appreciate how the Modi government is scrounging and securing every bit of oil & gas to take care of the energy needs of this mammoth nation of mine that is vast and so very populated. Cannot imagine the tragedy of being led by someone of the Rahul Gandhi material. Had he been in charge, we would be neck deep in waters by now. We are in good hands and we can see how the government is striving to steer us through these troubled waters. Times are bad. How long can we last like this.
This war is not limited to Iran-Israel-Saudi. It has far wider implications. Why are the global nations being punished for no fault of theirs. India is also Israel friendly at the same time. Until March 1 this year, things were routine and normal and could not have been better. We are not here to judge nations. Everyone will have their own reason(s). What a hardship this is all causing to humanity worldwide.
Once you catch a tiger by its tail, it will be very difficult and dangerous to leave it free again. American condition looks like this now! Pathetic!
And then now we have the Houthies attacking Saudi. It could be the center for brainstorming on global terr*r, still again we have business interests. Saudi oil is something the whole world counts on.
Why do you think there are conflicts of interests strategically placed around the world? It is balance arranged by the cosmos.
As the day progressed, the Moscow drone attack by Ukraine came in. OMG this is all too much for a single day! What is this world coming to.
As I said, everyone has a reason for justifying war. Its unfortunate that the timing is very unsettling. This particular time, the war has exposed the underbelly of middle east. Until recently, I never imagined how fragile the peace and security situation in the middle east could be. The entire region can be brought to knees in matter of a couple of hours as Iran has demonstrated. Now there will be perpetual emotional blackmail, what else. The arab nations probably already ‘bought’ their peace with Iran. But then the new war front opened in Saudi.
Times are very bad for the whole world! As per Hindu astrology, 2026 is a very bad year. And its not yet over.
Probably we lived in Qatar in their best times. Even if peace returns to middle east, it will be fragile peace, because of what the war has exposed. The sense of insecurity can never leave the arabs. They are so vulnerable and very much within reach. Easy scapegoats.
I remember middle east with this longing that only residents of middle east can understand. How we lived there until this march 1st, and what the GCC states meant for us expats – the west may not understand.
But even as we speak of, Saudi has passed death sentence for a Sri Lankan national, a Hindu, for what they view as blasphemous content in social media. Well, Karma comes around.
Still, waiting for the day this will all be over and normalcy resumes. Even if we have quit Qatar for good, I want the best for the region. My government knows how to handle them. I leave things to my government who are good at tactful diplomacy. In modern days, you don’t need wars.You need to know your business strengths and weaknesses that’s all. I am sure my government commits everything to memory to pay back with interests at a later date, but will never jeopardize common interests by adding fuel to fire or by stoking anti-sentiments. ‘NOTED’ is the only word for Modi ji/Indian government. They will take care. Also, disputes can be left to future generations for resolve. We don’t have to take upon the onerous responsibility always to fix everything. I read somewhere long back, that is how Indian government operates generally, unless provoked as in the case of Pakistan.
Peace for middle east
vijiravindran's 