INDIA’S BALANCING ACT

Israel--Palestine Conflict

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

Background:

India's historical stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict leaned towards Palestine, driven  factors being Mahatma Gandhi's opposition to a Jewish state in Palestine, India's large Muslim population, and the need to maintain good relations with Arab countries.

India’s position with regard to Palestine was also guided by the general consensus in the Arab world, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the majority sentiment in United Nations.

When the partition of Palestine plan was put to vote at the UN, India voted against, along with the Arab countries. India also opposed Israel's admission to the UN.

During the Cold War, India aligned itself with the Soviet Union, which supported the Arab states, thus perpetuating its pro-Palestine position.

Shift in India's Policy:

It was only after the end of the Cold War that Prime Minister Narasimha Rao took the bold step of establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, irrespective of potential fallout with the Arab nations.

In 1992, India established full diplomatic relations with Israel--  a significant shift from the then existing policy . Despite this, India continued to voice support for the Palestinian cause.

National Interest: 

India's diplomatic decisions are guided by national interest, necessitating a balance between maintaining strong relations with Israel, supporting Palestine, and developing ties with the Arab world.

Current Policy and Diplomatic Nuances:

India's relations with Israel have strengthened considerably in recent years, encompassing various sectors like trade, technology, defence, and counter-terrorism cooperation. Hence, it is a NATIONAL INTEREST TO HAVE STRONG BONDS WITH ISRAEL.

India's support for Israel is seen as a response to its fight against cross-border terrorism, although the global situations in Israel and India differ significantly.

Besides growing relations with Israel, India has reiterated its stand for Palestine's cause.

Amid the ongoing tensions, USD 29.53 million has been contributed by India to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

India also sent nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine.

India Balancing act:

In 2017, the Indian Prime Minister for the first time visited Israel and in 2018 he made an official visit to Palestine, also for the first time.

In 2017, India voted against the U.S. and Israel for an attempt to declare unilaterally all of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

India's policy is clear, they condemn terrorism but do not support indiscriminate reprisal bombings.

India's Official Stand:

India's official position on the Israel-Palestine conflict remains unchanged, advocating for a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine as good neighbours.

It was only after the mediation of the US; in the 1991 Madrid Peace conference a two-state solution was agreed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This is evidenced by the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Ramallah in the West Bank in 2018.

Likely Implications of Israel Palestine Conflict on India:

India has a significant defence relationship with Israel, with defence procurement and technology cooperation. The conflict may impact this relationship, as Israel may focus more on its security needs during the conflict.

Israel supplies the most military equipment to India, with the military business between the two countries worth around USD 2.1 billion.

India is dependent on oil imports from the Middle East, and any escalation in the region could affect energy prices and, subsequently, affect India's economy.

Since all the world economies are interconnected therefore, if countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran get involved in ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict then definitely there will be direct consequences over India’s energy supply, economy and investment.

Impact on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor:

The conflict has the potential to affect the stability of the Middle East, a region of strategic importance to India.

An escalation of hostilities could have implications for India's interests and engagements in the region.

India recently signed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as an ambitious infrastructure project aimed at connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe through various transportation modes, including shipping and rail networks.

Instability in the region can create security challenges, and affect the smooth operation of the IMEC.

Way Forward

Maintaining a status quo in the Israel-Palestine conflict is a challenging endeavour, and India can play a constructive role by promoting a peaceful resolution based on a two-nation theory.

India should continue its diplomatic efforts and use its international influence to encourage both Israel and Palestine to return to the negotiating table.

India must continue to act as a mediator and provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people to address the immediate needs and alleviate suffering in conflict-affected areas.

Encourage dialogues and exchanges between Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups, academics, and youth to further promote mutual understanding and trust.

NOTE: My Blog on IMEC will appear soon.

A relevant BLOG:-https://sarasij1majumder.blogspot.com/2023/10/palestine-and-india-time-to-re-think-re.html