Topic: GS2 – International relations
Context:
- After the massacre of Israeli citizens by Hamas fighters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s solidarity with Israel.
What does the article say about ongoing Israel – Palestine conflict:
- India, despite the differences in the scale of conflicts and histories, empathized with Israel due to its own experiences with terror attacks.
- Concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in Israel, including students and workers, led to the Ministry of External Affairs chartering flights to bring them home.
- India maintained a nuanced position by condemning Hamas attacks but reminding Israel of the “universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law” and its “global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism.”
- India has balanced its diplomatic ties with Israel, established in 1992, and its support for the Palestinian cause.
- The relationship with Israel has grown stronger over the years, involving bilateral relations, trade, technological assistance, military procurement, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
- India has maintained its stance on the Israel-Palestine issue, condemning terrorism but not condoning indiscriminate reprisal bombings.
- India voted against declaring all of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital in 2017 and continues to hold consistent positions.
- While acknowledging the wrongfulness of Hamas attacks, India recognizes that a responsible state cannot behave like an insurgent group.
- Israel’s demand for the evacuation of over a million Gaza residents makes India’s policy balancing even more challenging.
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