Arab League For unified Arab Nationalism The Arab League currently has 22 members and four observers(India

is one).Membership based on common culture. The main goal of the league is to dra! closer the relations bet!een member "tates and co#ordinate collaboration bet!een them$ to safeguard their independence and sovereignty$ and to consider in a general !ay the affairs and interests of the Arab countries It has served as a forum for the member states to coordinate their policy positions$ to deliberate on matters of common concern$ to settle some Arab disputes$ and to limit conflicts such as the %&'( Lebanon crisis The League has served as a platform for the drafting and conclusion of many landmar) documents promoting economic integration. *ne e+ample is the ,oint Arab -conomic Action .harter !hich sets out the principles for economic activities in the region the signing of an agreement on ,oint /efense and -conomic .ooperation on %0 April %&'1 committed the signatories to coordination of military defense measures. Through institutions such as the Arab League -ducational$ .ultural and "cientific *rgani2ation (AL-."*) and the -conomic and "ocial .ouncil of the Arab League3s .ouncil of Arab -conomic 4nity (.A-4)$ the Arab League facilitates political$ economic$ cultural$ scientific and social programs designed to promote the interests of the Arab !orld The Arab League has played a role in shaping school curricula$ advancing the role of !omen in the Arab societies$ promoting child !elfare$ encouraging youth and sports programs$ preserving Arab cultural heritage$ and fostering cultural e+changes bet!een the member states. Arab 5eace Initiative6 2002, the league adopted the Arab Peace Initiative$a "audi#inspired peace plan for the Arab7Israeli conflict. The initiative offered full normalisation of the relations !ith Israel. In e+change$ Israel !as re8uired to !ithdra! from all occupied territories$ including the 9olan :eights$ to recognise 5alestinian independence in the ;est <an) and 9a2a "trip$ !ith -ast ,erusalem as its capital$ as !ell as a =ust solution for the 5alestinian refugees. Arab 9as 5ipeline6 scheduled to be accomplished in >1%1. It !ill transport -gyptian and Ira8i gas to ,ordan$ "yria$ Lebanon$ and Tur)ey.

The 9reater Arab Free Trade Area (9AFTA)6 planned to come into effect on % ,anuary >11($ !ill render &'? of all Arab products free of customs Arab League and Arab "pring6 "uspended Libya in a protest against Muammar 9addafi3s crac)do!n on demonstrators#then made the )ey recommendation for a 4.N.#bac)ed no#fly 2one over the country#despite the broad support given to military action at an earlier Arab League meeting last month$ only @atar has been prepared to contribute forces#e+pressed support to Libyan NT.#Libya regains seat The sanction given by the League !as very imp in imposing No#Fly#Aone. The hesitancy in dealing !ith revolts has opened the door for potential rivals. The 9ulf .ooperation .ouncil has been active in league#member Bemen$ mediating a still#unsigned transition deal bet!een the opposition and the government. The Arab Leagued announced on "ep$%1 it has reached a deal !ith "yria on reforms aimed at ending government violence against protesters. If "yrian govt see)s help of 9.. then arab League !ill be further marginalised The Arab foreign ministers issued a statement voicing support for the !ise steps underta)en by :is Ma=esty Cing :amad bin Isa Al#Chalifa to restore national security and stability in <ahrain. "ignificance6 India and the Arab Nations !ill soon become ma=or trading partners$ e+hibiting significant improvement in t!o#!ay trade and is e+pected to reach D%>1 billion by >1%17%% and D>E1 billion by >1%E$ #.II It said that there is a huge potential for both the sides to cooperate in areas li)e oil and gas$ chemicals$ real estate$ infrastructure and food processing. Investments from the region into India have been on a continuous ups!ing$ especially in sectors such as telecom and infrastructure$ the report added "ecurity$ defence and education are ne! areas of interest !hich !ill forge the relationship ahead$ After the -uropean 4nion distanced itself from the resolution of Cashmir issue$ the Arab League said it has no position vis#a#vis the issue.