In News:

India recently dispatched a humanitarian shipment of medical supplies to the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, reflecting its commitment to global cooperation and humanitarian diplomacy.

About the Kurdistan Region

• Geographical Spread: The Kurdistan Region is a culturally and geographically distinct area predominantly inhabited by ethnic Kurds, spread across:
  • Northern Iraq (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Halabja)
  • Eastern Turkey
  • Western Iran
  • Northern Syria and parts of Armenia
• Capital: Erbil (Iraq)
• Terrain: Dominated by the Zagros and Taurus mountain systems
• Major Rivers: Tigris River and Greater Zab River, crucial for agriculture and settlement

Ethnic and Political Context

• Kurds: An ethnic group of 25–30 million people, mostly Sunni Muslims, with no official nation-state. They seek autonomy or independence through the Kurdish nationalist movement.
• Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG): An autonomous administration in northern Iraq, managing the Kurd-majority areas with limited sovereignty under Iraq’s federal system.
• Geopolitical Significance:
  • Rich in oil and natural gas, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan
  • Strategically located, controlling key border regions and trade routes
  • Kurdish militia (Peshmerga) played a critical role in the fight against ISIS

Ongoing Political Disputes

• Kurdish Independence Movement:
  • The 2017 independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan was rejected by Baghdad, followed by economic and military backlash.
  • Kurds face resistance from Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria, which fear territorial fragmentation.
  • Turkey regularly conducts military operations against Kurdish groups, labeling them as threats to national security.

India-Kurdistan Relations

• Diplomatic Presence: India established a Consulate in Erbil in August 2016 to deepen ties with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
• Economic and Workforce Engagement:
  • Indian companies have participated in trade fairs in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
  • A growing number of Indian workers are employed in sectors like:
    • Steel mills
    • Oil companies
    • Construction projects
  • Indian workers are valued for their skills and reliability in these industries.