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Introduction              

On 7th Oct, under “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” Hamas attacked Israel via land, air, and water, causing multiple casualties. The Israeli Prime Minister declared a ‘state of war,’ launching Operation Iron Sword in response to Hamas infiltrations. This has reignited the Israel-Palestine Conflict once again, necessitating the intervention by global and regional powers.

Body 

Implications of the recent Israel Hamas conflict for India:

• Impact on Indian Exports: The ongoing conflict escalates the risk profile of the region, leading to increased insurance costs for Indian exporters. With a trade volume of about $10.7 billion linked to the region, even minor shifts in insurance premiums can have a cascading effect on the competitiveness of Indian products in international markets.
• Diplomatic Stance: India has traditionally advocated for a two-state solution, recently the intensified hostilities and the nature of the attacks on civilians have already led India to issue specific condemnations. This may signal a nuanced shift in India’s diplomatic stance, challenging its ability to maintain a balanced approach.
• Safety of Indian Citizens and Diaspora: There are thousands of Indians living in Israel and the surrounding regions. The escalation in conflict poses an immediate risk to their safety, necessitating potential evacuation operations that could strain diplomatic and logistical resources.
• Defence Imports: Israel ranks among India’s top defence suppliers, with the defence trade worth over Rs 74,000 crore. Disruptions in Israel could delay critical defence consignments, which is particularly concerning given the increasing Chinese military presence along India’s Himalayan border.
• Hamper strategic interests: India has significantly improved its diplomatic relations with countries in the Middle East in recent years. Projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor could face setbacks if the conflict escalates, thereby influencing India’s strategic calculations in the region.
• Shipping Routes: The Suez Canal serves as a critical route for India’s trade with Europe. Any conflict in this region could disrupt maritime movements, affecting India’s trade dynamics significantly.
• Energy Security: Middle East accounts for 44 per cent of India’s total crude oil imports during April 2023. A conflict-ridden Middle East would likely result in increased oil prices, posing challenges to India’s energy security.
• Multilateral Relations: Finally, the conflict places India in a difficult position regarding its multilateral commitments and relations with other countries in the Middle East, as well as international bodies like the UN.

India can balance its strategic ties with Israel and its traditional support for the Palestinian cause through:

• Two-State Solution: India should continue to advocate for a two-state solution, as it has consistently done. This stance supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state denouncing terrorism in any form while recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
• High-Level Visits: Similar to PM Narendra Modi’s separate visits to Israel in 2017 and Palestine in 2018, India should maintain high-level diplomatic exchanges with both nations, to underscore its balanced approach.
• Humanitarian Aid: As of now India contributed USD 29.53 million to UNRWA and sent relief material to Palestine, it should also engage in humanitarian efforts that directly benefit the Israeli populace, thus presenting itself as an unbiased aid partner.
• Defence and Security: While Israel is a key defence partner with an annual military business of around USD 2.1 billion, India can offer counter-terrorism intelligence and cooperation to Palestine to help in stabilising the region. 
• Economic Ties: India’s plans for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) can include both Israel and Palestine, ensuring economic benefits flow to both sides.
• Multilateral Forums: In international platforms like the UN, India should abstain from one-sided resolutions that unfairly blame one party, as it did by voting against the U.S. move to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017.
• Consultative Mechanism: Finally, India can establish a trilateral dialogue involving Israel, Palestine, and itself to discuss issues of mutual concern, similar to other regional forums India is part of.

Conclusion 

Navigating the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict is a diplomatic challenge, but India’s balanced approach offers a model for constructive engagement. By fostering dialogue, extending humanitarian aid, and strengthening strategic ties, India can contribute meaningfully to peace and stability in the region. 

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