India’s balancing act on the Israel-Hamas conflict
- Foreign Affairs journal
- 18(1-2), Jan -Jun, 2023: p.15-32
During the prolonged period of non-collations stretching from the opposition to the partition plan for Palestine on 29th January 1992 decisions to establish full diplomatic reactions with Israel, India’s Israel policy has been controversial and, in some ways, India’s diplomatic engagement with Israel has historically been shaped by a complex interplay of ideological commitments and geopolitical calculations. From its opposition to the UN Partition Plan for Palestine to the eventual establishment of full diplomatic relations with Israel on 29 January 1992, New Delhi’s policy remained controversial and constrained by a persistent dilemma. For over four decades, India adopted a zero-sum approach to the Palestinian question, which hindered its ability to treat Israel as a sovereign state with both merits and flaws. This stance reflected India's alignment with the Non-Aligned Movement, solidarity with Arab nations, and strategic considerations regarding oil imports and regional alliances. The shift in 1992 marked a significant recalibration, allowing for more pragmatic bilateral engagement while still navigating the sensitivities of its historical support for Palestine.also clunked by a normal dilemma. For four decades, the zero-sum approach towards the Palestinian question prevented New Delhi from dealing with the Israel as a normal state with positive and negative attributes. – Reproduced