INDIA
ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE WAR – INTERNATIONAL
News:
Balancing policy: On
Israel, Palestine and India’s line
What's
in the news?
●
India’s diplomatic position on the
Israel-Palestine conflict has witnessed significant shifts over the years.
●
While the PM's recent expression of
solidarity with Israel during a period of heightened conflict has sparked
debate, it is essential to contextualize these developments in India’s
historical foreign policy.
Historical
Background:
1.
India’s Early Stance:
●
India’s initial position on the
Israel-Palestine issue was shaped by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma
Gandhi.
●
In 1947, India voted against UN Resolution
181, advocating for the partition of Mandatory Palestine. Nehru favoured a
federal state with wide autonomy for Arabs and Jews, influenced by Gandhi’s
opposition to a Jewish state.
2.
Recognition of Israel:
●
Despite recognizing Israel in 1950, India
did not establish diplomatic relations until 1992. Factors such as a sizable
Muslim population, Cold War dynamics and the need to maintain Arab support
influenced this delayed recognition.
Impact
of Establishing Diplomatic Relations:
1.
End of Cold War:
●
India’s decision to establish diplomatic
ties with Israel in 1992 marked a shift after the end of the Cold War.
●
The government of P.V. Narasimha Rao took
this bold step, focusing on national interests and strengthening economic
relations, particularly in defence.
2.
Ongoing Support for Palestine:
●
India’s recognition of Israel did not
signal abandonment of its principled support for Palestine. India continued to
voice support for the Palestinian cause while developing closer ties with
Israel.
Contemporary
Developments:
1.
India-Israel Relations:
●
Presently, India enjoys a strong and
multifaceted relationship with Israel. Prime Ministers Modi and Netanyahu have
cultivated personal rapport, and both countries collaborate closely, especially
in the defence sector.
2.
Change in Rhetoric:
●
India has adopted a more measured approach
in its rhetoric regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, especially in
international forums like the United Nations. Some argue that India’s
pro-Palestine stance has not yielded commensurate benefits in terms of national
interest.
3.
Ideological Shift:
●
India’s support for Israel’s response to
attacks from Gaza is sometimes misinterpreted as anti-Islamic action. Israel’s
approach to cross-border terrorism resonates with some in India, although the
situations differ significantly.
India’s
Formal Position:
1.
Support for Two-State Solution:
●
India officially supports the two-state
solution, envisioning Israel and Palestine as peaceful neighbours coexisting
harmoniously.
2.
Official visits:
●
PM Modi’s visit to Ramallah in 2018
underscored India’s commitment to this position.
3.
Public perception:
●
A large section of Indian society is
supportive of the Palestinian cause due to religious affinities.
Impact
of Israel-Palestine war on India:
1.
Trade Implications:
●
An intensification of the conflict has the
potential to disrupt India's trade with Israel. This could potentially deter
investments in the region and have a negative impact on both I2U2 and IMEC
(India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor).
●
For example, Trade between India and
Israel has seen a rise, surging from a pre-Covid level of USD 5 billion to
approximately USD 7.5 billion by January 2023.
2.
Energy Security:
●
India imports a significant amount of its
energy needs and a stable Middle East is vital for its energy security.
Political instability in the region, which is partly due to the
Israel-Palestine conflict, can disrupt energy supplies and impact India's economy.
●
For example, India imports nearly 40% of
its oil and 70% of its gas requirements from West Asia.
3.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy:
●
In the event of an escalation of the
conflict that brings in other Arab countries, it has the potential to cause
diplomatic complexities for India.
●
Striking a delicate equilibrium between
its relationship with Israel and the preservation of positive relations with
Arab nations may become increasingly intricate.
4.
Defence Ties:
●
India has sought defence and security
cooperation with Israel, benefiting from Israel's advanced military technology.
However, the conflict may impact India's defence ties with Israel.
●
For example, India stands as one of the
primary importers of weapons from Israel, accounting for approximately 40% of
Israel's yearly arms exports.
●
Over the years, the Indian armed forces
have introduced a diverse range of Israeli weaponry into their arsenal such as
Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), Heron, Searcher-II and
Harop drones etc.
5.
Diaspora:
●
India has a substantial diaspora residing
in diverse Middle Eastern nations. In the event of an escalation in the
conflict, safeguarding the well-being and security of these Indian expatriates
becomes imperative for India. Further, conflict would negatively affect the
flow of remittances from the West Asian region to India.
●
For example, nearly 9million Indian expats
live and work in Gulf Cooperation Council countries
6.
Security Concerns:
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Instability in the Middle East due to the
conflict can have security implications for India. This includes concerns about
terrorism, as well as the safety of Indian citizens in the region.