India’s Shift on Palestine
Context:
India’s stance on Palestine, once emblematic of its anti-colonial values, has softened since the Cold War’s end and undergone a marked transformation in the last decade. The growing alignment with Israel, the sidelining of Palestine, and a shift toward transactional diplomacy are interconnected, shaped by both domestic and global influences.
India’s Stand on Israel-Palestine QuestionIndia’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has evolved over the years, reflecting a balancing act between its historical support for Palestine and its growing ties with Israel. Historical Context: India’s position has been shaped by its historical ties to the Non-Aligned Movement and its commitment to anti-colonial struggles. Initially, India opposed Israel’s admission to the UN and supported Palestinian claims. However, since establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, India has strengthened bilateral ties while continuing to advocate for Palestinian rights. Support for a Two-State Solution: India has consistently advocated for a two-state solution, envisioning a sovereign and viable state of Palestine coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. Recent Developments: Following the escalation of violence in October 2023, India condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel while also expressing concern for civilian casualties in Gaza. Voting Patterns at the UN: India’s voting behaviour at the United Nations reflects its nuanced approach. While it has voted in favour of resolutions supporting Palestinian rights, it abstained from certain resolutions that did not explicitly condemn Hamas’ attacks on Israel. |
Hindutva and Foreign Policy
- Hindu Nationalism: India’s evolving approach to Palestine is closely tied to the rise of Hindutva.
- This shift has fostered stronger ties with Israel, viewed as a natural ally in the perceived struggle against “Islamic terrorism” — a narrative deeply embedded in Hindutva ideology.
- Support for Palestine: Historically, India’s support for Palestine was rooted in its anti-colonial struggle, championing self-determination and anti-racism.
- In “New India,” however, this support is seen through a communal lens, associating the Palestinian cause solely with the Muslim identity.
Values vs. Interests
- Transactional Diplomacy: India’s shift toward a more transactional diplomacy is another key factor.
- During the Nehruvian era, foreign policy was grounded in anti-colonialism, with strong backing for Palestinian statehood.
- But after the Cold War, this value-driven approach gave way to one focused on narrow, self-defined interests. India-Israel relations have benefited from this transition.
- Bilateral Trade: Bilateral trade between India and Israel surpassed $10 billion in 2022-23, with cooperation extending across defence, agriculture, and technology.
- The relationship is guided by a strategy of “dehyphenation” (treating relations with Israel and Palestine separately) and “depoliticisation” (avoiding politically sensitive issues).
- Pragmatic Approach: This is not unique to India but reflects a broader global trend where foreign policies are increasingly dictated by economic and strategic concerns.
- In India’s case, its West Asia policy has evolved significantly since the 1990s, with energy security, diaspora relations, and investment opportunities now taking precedence.
- The old Non-Aligned Movement paradigm is seen as insufficient for meeting these new objectives.
- The Palestinian issue offers no immediate economic or strategic advantage, which is a sharp contrast to the India of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, which viewed support for Palestine as a moral obligation.
Ambitions and Geopolitical Strategy
- Aspirations of Becoming a Global Power: India’s aspirations have further shaped its approach.
- While it attempts to mediate in the Ukraine conflict, it has simultaneously scaled back its support for Palestine.
- India’s alignment with the U.S., Israel’s staunchest ally, amid the broader U.S.-China rivalry, also plays a role in this shift.
- Strategic Autonomy and Multialignment: In this era of great power politics, the legacy of non-alignment and anti-colonialism is increasingly seen as outdated.
- This is evident in India’s rhetorical shift from non-alignment to “strategic autonomy” and now “multialignment,” each iteration representing a dilution of its former moral commitments.
- India’s muted response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite the heavy loss of life, is a testament to this change.
- While India continues to officially endorse a two-state solution, its actions suggest a growing prioritisation of its relationship with Israel, driven by defence partnerships and other sectoral opportunities.
As the global landscape shifts, it remains to be seen whether India will continue on this path, prioritising narrow interests over long-held principles. The emerging international order may be new, but the rules of the game remain the same, with only the players changing.