Population Size
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- West Asia has an estimated population of 460 million people (2024).
- The largest country by population in the region is Egypt with over 109 million people.
Oil Reserves
- West Asia holds approximately 48% of the world’s proven oil reserves.
- Saudi Arabia alone holds around 17% of global oil reserves, with about 266 billion barrels of proven reserves.
World’s Tallest Building
- The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, is the tallest building in the world at 828 meters (2,717 feet) with 163 floors.
Religious Significance
- Islam, which originated in the Middle East, is practiced by approximately 94% of the region’s population.
- Over 1.9 billion Muslims globally consider Mecca in Saudi Arabia the holiest city in Islam.
- The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia attracts over 2 million pilgrims from around the world every year.
Largest Desert
- The Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) in Saudi Arabia is the largest continuous sand desert in the world, covering an area of 650,000 square kilometers (250,000 square miles).
GDP
- The combined GDP of West Asia is approximately $4.0 to $5.0 trillion (2023 estimates).
- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE are the largest economies in the region, with Saudi Arabia leading at $1.06 trillion.
- The richest country per capita in the region is Qatar, with a GDP per capita of around $60,000.
History of the Title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”
The title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques”, which translates to “Servant of the Two Noble Sanctuaries” or “Protector of the Two Holy Cities,” carries profound religious and political significance, symbolising stewardship over Islam’s two holiest sites. In the modern era, this designation has transcended ceremonial symbolism to become a strategic asset for Saudi Arabia in regional power struggles, particularly as rivals such as Turkey and Iran vie for influence within the Islamic world.
Explained: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The IMEC is a planned transcontinental infrastructure network involving railways, shipping lanes, and digital and energy corridors connecting India to Europe through the Middle East. It is poised to become a vital economic and geopolitical initiative fostering regional integration and sustainable development.
Delhi-Doha engagement looks beyond energy trade
The India-Qatar relationship has evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership encompassing security and defence cooperation, health care and education. The India-Qatar relationship illustrates how countries can overcome crises and challenges through pragmatic diplomacy, economic interdependence, and strategic patience.
Truce to Peace, the Challenge in Gaza
After fifteen months of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal that aims to stop violence in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages. The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, marks a significant turning point in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises hopes for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Why Delhi is building bridges with the Gulf
The changing geopolitical landscape, marked by a perceived US rebalancing, Russia’s setbacks in Syria, and a weakened Iran juxtaposed with a strengthened Israel, offers new opportunities for a stronger India-GCC strategic partnership to play a more proactive role in regional stability.
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