While addressing the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed two maps showing a group of countries as the “curse” and another group as the “blessing”. 

The “curse map” showed Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen painted in black and the “blessing map” showed Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and India painted in green.

Key points: 

• The “blessing map” shows Israel and its Arab partners forming a land bridge connecting Asia and Europe between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. 

• Across this bridge, we will lay rail lines, energy pipelines, and fibre optic cables, which will serve the betterment of two billion people. 

• The “curse map” shows an arc of terror Iran has created and imposed from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean. Iran’s malignant arc has shut down international waterways. It cuts off trade, destroys millions of nations from within, and inflicts misery on millions. 

History of India-Israel Relations

• India recognised Israel on September 17, 1950, but it only established full diplomatic relations in 1992. 

• India’s close alignment with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), its strong ties with the Soviet bloc, and proximity to the Arab world influenced its cautious approach towards Israel, which was aligned with the United States and NATO. 

• Since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992, defence and agriculture have formed the two primary areas of bilateral cooperation. 

• In recent years, India and Israel have been strengthening ties across various sectors, focusing on building a high-tech partnership between their knowledge-driven economies. 

Timeline of key events

• 1947: India voted against the partition of Palestine at the UN, opposing the idea of two nations based on religious criteria. 

• 1950: India recognized Israel’s existence. 

• 1992: Full diplomatic relations were established. 

• 2017: A paradigm shift with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel, marking the first such visit by an Indian PM. Ties were elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

• 2018: India voted against the US’ decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at the UN.

• 2021: India abstained from a UN resolution to establish a permanent commission to probe human rights violations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestine.

India-Israel ties until 1992

• Political and Ideological Factors: India’s commitment to non-alignment meant it avoided closer ties with Israel, which was seen as a Western bloc ally. 

• Arab Ties and Energy Security: India relied on Arab oil imports and needed to maintain strong ties with Arab states, pushing New Delhi to adopt a pro-Arab policy. 

• Support for Palestine: Indian leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi expressed support for the Palestinian cause and opposed the idea of religiously defined nation-states. 

• Shift in Stance: India’s pro-Arab stance began to shift as West Asia became more supportive of Pakistan regarding Kashmir, and after the Oslo Accords (1993), which aimed to establish peace between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). 

India-Israel relations after 1992

• Political Relations: Political ties have become more robust with frequent high-level exchanges. 

• Economic and Commercial Relations: Bilateral trade has grown from $200 million in 1992 to $10.1 billion in FY 2022-2023 (excluding defence), with India as Israel’s third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh-largest globally. 

• India’s Exports: Pearls, precious stones, automotive diesel, chemicals, textiles, etc. 

• Israel’s Exports: Pearls, chemicals, defense goods, petroleum oils. 

• I2U2 Strategic Partnership: Formed in 2021 as a strategic group between India, Israel, UAE, and USA, often referred to as the West Asian Quad. Its aim is to promote economic development and scientific innovation. 

• Defence Cooperation: Israel has been among India’s top arms suppliers for two decades. Indian forces use Israeli equipment like Phalcon AWACS, Heron drones, and Barak anti-missile systems. Israeli defence companies like IAI, Elbit Systems, and Rafael have partnered with Indian firms like Bharat Forge, Adani, and Tata Advanced Systems under the Make in India initiative to co-produce defense equipment.

India’s policy over the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Historically, India’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict was pro-Palestine, influenced by several factors:

• Mahatma Gandhi’s Opposition: Gandhiji rejected the idea of a Jewish state in Palestine, advocating instead for peaceful coexistence. 

• India’s Large Muslim Population: Domestic political considerations led India to support Arab nations and the Palestinian cause.

• Arab Relations and Oil Security: India maintained close relations with Arab countries, essential for securing energy needs and gathering diplomatic support, especially on the Kashmir issue. 

• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India’s foreign policy was aligned with the NAM, which largely supported Palestine, rejecting Israel's policies. 

• United Nations Stance: India voted against the UN partition plan for Palestine in 1947 and opposed Israel’s admission to the UN. 

During the Cold War, India sided with the Soviet Union, which supported Arab states, further solidifying India’s support for Palestine.

Shift in India’s policy:

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (1992): 

• In a major policy shift, India established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. This change marked the formal recognition of Israel’s importance to India’s strategic interests. 

• Despite this diplomatic breakthrough, India continued to support the Palestinian cause and maintained its solidarity with Palestine at international forums. 

Balancing National Interests: 

• India’s foreign policy adapted to balance its growing ties with Israel, while continuing its traditional support for Palestine and sustaining strong relationships with Arab nations. 

• This balancing act is driven by a combination of strategic, economic, and geopolitical factors, including defense cooperation with Israel and energy security from Arab states. 

• India’s current position remains a nuanced one — advocating for Palestine’s statehood within a two-state solution framework while maintaining and deepening strategic partnerships with Israel.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)