Change and Continuity in India’s Palestine Policy

Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “Change and continuity in India’s Palestine policy” which was published in the Hindu. India’s recent expression of solidarity with Israel during a period of heightened conflict has sparked debate. However, India is a supporter of a Two state solution to end the  decades-long Israel Palestine conflict.

India’s Palestine Policy Has Evolved Over the Years

• India’s vote in November, 1947: When the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution to partition Palestine into a Jewish state, an Arab state and an international city (Jerusalem) in November 1947, India, along with Pakistan and the Arab bloc, voted against it.
• Creation of Israel: when the state of Israel was declared in May 1948, India swiftly adopted a pragmatic line and recognised Israel, but stopped short of establishing full diplomatic relations. 
• Diplomatic Relations with Israel:  After it established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, bilateral ties between New Delhi and Tel Aviv began to deepen and broaden.
• Maintained Support for Palestine: But India publicly maintained its support for the creation of a Palestine state with East Jerusalem as its capital and based on the 1967 borders.
• Recent Position of India: This position has evolved further after Mr. Modi became Prime Minister when he visited Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, he called for dialogue to find a permanent solution to the crisis.
• India not vocal on contentious issue: However, India has not opined vocally about the contentious issues such as the capital and border any more, while remaining a partner of Israel and a supporter of the two state solution. 

India’s Formal Position

• Support for Two State Solution: India officially supports the two state solution, envisioning Israel and Palestine as peaceful neighbours coexisting harmoniously.
  • unlike the U.S, which claims to be supporting the two-state solution while voting against all resolutions at the UN and refusing to back the ceasefire call.
• Position of Balance: India is neither a strong moral critic, like Brazil or South Africa, of the way Israel is conducting the war, nor a mute spectator or enabler of Israel, like the United States or the United Kingdom.
• India’s Vote shows its stance: India voted in favour of a resolution that condemned Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan.
  • It also  supported a resolution that called for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”.
  • It voted for the Palestinian right to self-determination.
• India aspires to reflect the voice of the Global South: Israel’s current actions in Gaza are seen as a major humanitarian crisis, However, Israel receives significant support from the U.S., allowing it to avoid consequences under international laws. 
  • This has sparked strong reactions in the Global South, with South Africa taking Israel to the International Court of Justice.
  • Brazil’s president accusing Israel of “genocide,” and 
  • China calls for a ceasefire, while Russia hosts various Palestinian factions, including Hamas.

Conclusion

India wants stability in West Asia, and a permanent solution to the Palestine issue. This aligns with India’s Act West policy, emphasising peace and stability in the region.