Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to India, Saud Al-Sati, explained to THE WEEK why his country and its partners would continue to be tough with Qatar.
Excerpts from an interview:
Why this sudden flare-up in relations with Qatar? How does it impact the unity of Gulf Cooperation Council and its vision?
It was not a sudden decision. We severed diplomatic ties with Qatar to protect our security, and for the stability of the region. Saudi Arabia’s policy of zero-tolerance towards terror has been supported by eight Islamic countries which have suspended relations with Qatar because of its support to terrorist groups such as Hizbullah, Muslim Brotherhood and Houthi militias.
Saudi Arabia and other countries affected by terrorism have been telling Qatar since 2012 to stop aiding and giving base to terror groups. Qatar assured through signed, handwritten agreements in 2013 and 2014 that it would end all support to terrorism, but it has been duplicitous since then. Our patience ended when yet again the promise was broken, after the anti-terror summit in Riyadh in May this year.
Qatar calls the blockade illegal and says it has affected its citizens and economy. Qatar says thousands of its people are trapped jobless in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf.
There is no military blockade of Qatari ports or airports. They are functioning fully. Only airspace of the countries which have cut diplomatic relations is closed for Qatari aircraft, and the country cannot use our territorial waters.
Qatar has not stopped its media from spreading mischief. We are not against the people of Qatar. We are unhappy with the way the government of Qatar is handling things. We have set up a [humanitarian] hotline for families with Qatari members in Saudi Arabia.
We will not relent till Qatar stops supporting terrorism. We hope the efforts of Kuwait, the US and the international community will make Qatar realise its errors and mend its ways.
As Qatar has not accepted the demands by the Saudi-led bloc, what steps would be taken next?
As reiterated by our foreign minister, the political and economic boycott will continue till Qatar changes for the better. All measures will be taken as per international law to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.
India has remained neutral on this issue. Has the Indian government been briefed about the crisis? Has India offered to mediate, as it has excellent relations with all parties concerned?
The Indian government is aware of the developments. India has made a strong statement emphasising the need for all countries to fight terrorism. We appreciate this and the strong relations between India and Saudi Arabia.
Is Saudi Arabia hitting at Iran and Turkey through actions against Qatar?
Turkey has informed that it is neutral in this issue. The 2017 anti-terror summit declared Iran a sponsor of terrorism, and urged it to end support to terror groups. It also asked Iran to stop intervening in the internal affairs of other countries. We are dealing with Iran-sponsored militias that are trying to overthrow the regime in Yemen.
Iran is threatening maritime security in the region, and supporting terrorist activities in Saudi Arabia. We want to destroy the Islamic State, al Qaeda and other terror groups wherever they are based in, and end the support being given to them.
