India’s position on Palestine, which was once a cornerstone of its anti-colonial ethos, has significantly shifted in recent years. The increasing affinity with Israel can be viewed as a shift toward prioritising national interests alongside its traditional values.

Reasons for Shift in Diplomatic Stance

• Ideological Shift
  • Critics believe that the rise of the right wing parties in Indian polity has  influenced India’s foreign policy to align more closely with Israel. 
  • Example: Prime Minister Modi’s tribute at Mount Herzl to the founder of Zionism reflects this evolving partnership.
• Transactional Diplomacy:
  • India’s foreign policy has shifted from a values-based approach to a transactional one, prioritising narrowly defined national interests over historical commitments. This change became more pronounced after the Cold War ended. 
    • Concepts like ‘dehyphenation’ and ‘depoliticization’ in India-Israel relations exemplify this shift, moving away from previous commitments to the Palestinian cause.
• Shifting Priorities: As the government focuses on attracting investments from the Gulf and forging new partnerships, the Palestinian issue, lacking immediate economic or strategic benefits, has been relegated to the margins. 
• India’s Great Power Aspirations
  • While India aims to play a mediator role in the Ukraine conflict, it has also reduced its support for Palestine.
  • India’s growing ties with the U.S. and Israel, especially in the context of the China-U.S. rivalry, are important factors in this shift. 
  • The traditional ideals of non-alignment and anti-colonialism are now seen as outdated. 
  • For instance, India’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been notably subdued, with calls for peace and dialogue, while it continues to strengthen its relationship with Israel and enhance defence cooperation. 

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Conclusion

While official rhetoric continues to advocate for a two-state solution, the reality reveals a marked shift toward strengthening relations with Israel, prioritising economic and strategic interests over traditional commitments to Palestinian solidarity.

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