India demonstrates strategic clarity in its approach to Israel-Hamas conflict

It is clear that India has been unequivocal and steadfast in its support for Israel against the brutal terrorist strikes by Hamas, as also for the safety, security, well-being and prosperity of the common Palestinian people

India was one of the first countries after the dastardly attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israeli territory on 7 October to unreservedly condemn the terrorist attacks and express solidarity with Israel. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: ‘’Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.” There was no mention in this message about India’s long-held position of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

A few days later on 10 October, 2023, Prime Minister Modi took to X again to recount his conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu: ‘’I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.’’ In a read out on the conversation, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that ‘’Prime Minister expressed deep condolences and sympathy for those killed and wounded as a result of the terrorist attacks in Israel and conveyed that people of India stand in solidarity with Israel in this difficult hour…PM highlighted the issue of safety and security of Indian citizens in Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu assured of full cooperation and support.’’ADVERTISEMENT

Some commentators have termed these statements as being partisan and one-sided and claimed that they have done considerable damage to the goodwill that India enjoys in the Arab and Muslim world. Some of these analysts have stated that strengthening and deepening relations between India and the Arab world has been one of the most significant achievements of the Modi government over the last nine years. India’s ties with most of the major countries of the Arab world viz. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain Oman and others have witnessed remarkable growth since Modi came to power in 2014. They suggest that India’s pronouncements on the continuing Israel-Hamas conflict have the potential to register a big setback to the growth of these ties and also put the welfare of the large Indian diaspora in these countries at physical risk. They say that it could also result in a backlash to the presence of the large numbers of Indian professionals and white/blue collar workers in the region.

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This is an inaccurate and superficial assessment of the situation. Prime Minister Modi’s initial comment on 7 October was in response to a dastardly and vile terrorist attack on mostly Israeli civilians — babies, children, women and elderly — by the Hamas terrorist group. India’s position against terrorist acts is well known. At every international forum, India has spoken about zero tolerance to terrorism and also maintained that terrorist actions cannot be justified under any circumstances.

The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration adopted under India’s presidency on 9-10  September states: ‘’We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, recognizing the commitment of all religions to peace. It constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security…. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed… Efforts to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation should be strengthened to deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment, as well as financial, material or political support.’’

This statement was adopted by countries representing 85 per cent of the global GDP and more than two-thirds of the world’s population. If India had tried to moderate its position at this juncture by referring to the Palestine issue and the imperative of a two-State solution, it would have been seen as providing justification for the heinous acts of manslaughter perpetrated by the Hamas terrorists. In fact, statements by several significant Gulf Arab states like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and others also criticised the attacks by Hamas. In a statement, the UAE stressed that Hamas attacks “against Israeli towns and villages near the Gaza Strip, including the firing of thousands of rockets at population centres, are a serious and grave escalation.” The statement said that it was “appalled by reports that Israeli civilians have been abducted as hostages from their homes.”You May LikeCalcutta: Balance Your Health and WealthCare HealthGet Quote  by Taboola Sponsored Links 

Saudi Arabia, the most influential and powerful country in the region, on the day of the attack, issued a bland short statement saying that the kingdom is “closely following the developments of the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in an increase in a high level of violence on several fronts there.” The Saudi foreign ministry called for restraint, a “credible” international push for a peace process, a two-state solution, and reminded of its “repeated warnings of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation.” However, in a subsequent statement recapping a phone call between the Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the ministry highlighted “the Kingdom’s rejection of targeting civilians in any way and the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law.” These statements were in no way overtly critical of Israel for its acts of commission or omission although it later said that it was suspending discussion on possible normalisation of relations with Israel, which was one of the key policy objectives of the Biden administration. In fact, the vicious attacks by Hamas have dealt a body blow to a possible Palestinian deal which was reported to be an essential element of the Israel-Saudi normalisation process and which would have contributed to providing a decent life to the Palestinians.

It is true that the Hamas attacks have brought the issue of Palestine which had been losing steam in international discourse over the last several years to centre stage. It is however a moot point how much the murderous attacks will be able to help in reaching a mutually acceptable two-state solution to the issue. It is quite clear that ordinary Palestinian civilians will now have to wait much longer for any semblance of improvement in their living conditions.

It needs to be recognised that India stands in a sui generis position on the issue of terrorism. India has been afflicted by the scourge of terrorism for the last more than three decades. It has lost thousands of its civilians and service personnel to cross-border terrorism from across the western borders over the years. It feels and understands the pain and anger that terrorist actions can engender in the countries that are at the receiving end of such outrageous brutality.

India’s growing strategic partnership with Israel over the last 30 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations and more so, over the last nine years of Prime Minister Modi’s tenure, would have also contributed to the strong support by India’s leadership and people to Israel and its citizens in its hour of need. Israel has always stood by India in its fight against terrorism and emerged as a valuable partner in India’s march towards security and prosperity.

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas evolved over the last more than two weeks, India has responded to the emerging challenges of safeguarding international humanitarian law and the need to protect civilians. It is recognised by most analysts that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or their interests. Its major objective in launching the monstrous strikes against innocent Israeli civilians was to derail the peace process between Israel and Saudi Arabia which had been progressing well. It was hoped that it would see the light of the day very soon. This appears to have been stymied at least for now but whether the current upheaval will lead to any relief for the ordinary Palestinians in the foreseeable future is highly debatable.

In his conversations with the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas on 19 October and with King Abdullah II of Jordan on 23 October, Prime Minister Modi shared India’s ‘’deep concern at the terrorism, violence and deteriorating security situation in the region. Reiterated India’s long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue.’’ He also conveyed his condolences to the Palestinian president ‘’at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.” In his conversation with the Jordanian monarch Prime Minister Modi said ’’that concerted efforts are needed for an early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation.’’ Within days of speaking with the Palestinian president, India, on 22 October, sent humanitarian aid comprising of nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material to the people of Palestine. The material included “essential life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets among other necessary items.”

In his press briefing on 19 October, 2023, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs stated: ‘’We have strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack on Israel. The international community must stand together in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and there can be no equivocation on this. There was also issue of Palestine, and on that, we have reiterated our position in favor of direct negotiations for establishing a two-state solution. We have also expressed our concern at the civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation. We would urge the strict observance of international humanitarian law.”

From the above, it is clear that India has been unequivocal and steadfast in its support for Israel against the brutal terrorist strikes by Hamas, as also for the safety, security, well-being and prosperity of the common Palestinian people. India de-hyphenated its relations with Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) some years ago. Prime Minister Modi visited Israel in 2017, the first visit by an Indian prime minister after the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 25 years ago in 1992. He also separately visited Ramallah and met President Mahmoud Abbas in 2018.  India continues to extend diplomatic, moral, political and economic support to Palestine. Both these issues stand on the strength of their merits. India’s support for Israel is not at the expense of its support for PA. And vice-versa. India’s support in the current context also needs to be seen in the backdrop of standing united as a bulwark against the forces of global terrorism.

The writer is executive council member, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, president, Institute of Global Studies, Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre, and former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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