#171: India-Israel ties | GS2 IR Notes
3 min read
Hamas attacked Israel from multiple routes on last day of Jew holy festival.
Indian PM has issued a strong statement calling it a terrorist attack
Israel is retaliating. This post is not about Israel or Hamas.
This post is about India-Israel ties
Post Independence years
JLN and Gandhi supported Palestinian cause as they rejected the idea of two nations based on religion.
Duo expressed sympathy for the Jews but did not side on ‘state based on religious exclusivity.’ In their opinion, such a state could not sustain moral and political grounds.
This position was also guided by consensus in Arab World, NAM and UNO.
India voted against partition of Palestine in UNO
India voted against Israel’s admission to UNO
India recognized Israel on Sept 17, 1950 (Trivia: PM Modi was born on this date) and this was after Turkey and Iran had done so!
1953: Israel opened a consulate in Mumbai but diplomatic presence only in 1992
India was one of last non-Muslim states to recognize Israel, it was first non-Arab state to recognize Palestine Liberation Organization
Indira and Rajiv years
1980: Indira Gandhi returned as PM and continued support to PLO
1983: NAM summit in India came up with a strong statement of solidarity for Palestine
PM Rajiv Gandhi continued his support for Palestine
Ground shift moments
1962 war: Arab word neutral
1965 & 1971 wars: Arab world extended support to Pakistan
1962 & 1965 wars: Israel helps India with arms & ammunition
1990: PLO supports Saddam Hussain as Iraq invaded Kuwait losing political leverage
1990s: Soviet weakening pushes India to make drastic changes towards West Asia policy
1992: India-Israel diplomatic relations start u/ PM PV Narsimha Rao
Military ties & Kargil War
1999: During Kargil, Indian Air Force wanted prevision target bombs. Israel proactively supplied the same
2000: First bilateral visit to Israel by MEA Jaswant Singh
Modi years
De-hyphenation of ties as PM visited the two separately
India has extended olive leaves to all those in west Asia
Security, defense & connectivity with Israel saw a rise while partnerships elevated with Saudi, Egypt, Qatar & Iran.
Importance of West Asia for India
9 million Indian diaspora in the region
Connectivity to West Asia & Europe (newly decided corridor)
Energy demands; 50% of ours are fulfilled from West Asia
Impact of Hamas attack
Tight diplomatic spot for India
Tests Abraham Accords and Saudi-Israel deal
India hopes to reap dividends of such re-alignment in the region
Source: Indian Express
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