INDIA-PALESTINE
Current Relations
- Economic Relations
- Bilateral Trade: US $40 million, covering automotive spare parts, medical tourism, agro-products, textiles, agro-chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
- Investment: India has committed over $12 million for capacity building in Palestine, with $3 million disbursed biannually.
- Budgetary Support: India provides $5 million in budgetary support to Palestine.
- Strategic Relations
- Recognition: India recognized Palestine as a state in 1988, one of the earliest countries to do so.
- UN Voting: India supported Palestine’s full membership in UNESCO (2011) and voted in favor of a UNGA resolution for Palestine to become a ‘non-member Observer state’ (2012).
- E-Visa Facility: Since 2013, Palestinians have been able to obtain e-Visas to visit India.
- Cultural and Educational Cooperation
- Capacity Building: India offers scholarships under the ITEC program for Palestinian students.
- Art and Culture: Indian cultural forms like Kathak and Kalaripayattu are popular in Palestine, and Indian films, yoga, and cuisine are also well-received.
- Educational Support: India funded the construction of the Jawaharlal Nehru Library in Gaza and the Mahatma Gandhi Library at the Palestine Technical College.
Importance/Benefits
- Economic Benefits
- Labor Force: Over 7 million Indian nationals work in Arab countries, a source of significant remittance inflow for India.
- Strategic Importance
- Energy Security: India’s relations with Palestine support its ties with the Arab world, from where it imports much of its oil.
- Geopolitical Alignment: India’s historical alignment with Palestine reflects its Cold War-era partnerships and its need to counter Pakistan with the support of Arab nations.
- Proactive Diplomacy: India actively supports Palestine’s cause in various international forums, including BRICS and others involving EU and Russia.
- Balanced Diplomacy: While supporting Palestine, India’s Link West Policy has also led to normalized ties with Israel, treating both relationships as mutually independent.
Concerns
- Strategic Concerns
- Dependence on the Region: India’s dependence on the Middle East for energy and the presence of over 7 million Indian nationals expose it to security challenges.
- Terrorism and Extremism: Rising terrorism and extremist activities in the region, including ISIS, pose risks for Indian nationals and interests.
India’s Efforts in Bringing Peace to the Region
Change in Stance
- Two-State Solution: India traditionally supports a two-state solution to establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
- Shift Toward Israel: Recently, India has shown a diluted response to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, indicating a shift towards a more Israel-friendly stance.
- Voting Abstentions: India abstained from UNHRC votes in March 2016 and May 2021 regarding Palestinian issues.
- Jerusalem: India no longer explicitly refers to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, signaling a policy shift.
- Negotiated Settlement: India now advocates for a mutually respectful solution rather than exclusively supporting Palestinian claims.
- Alignment with Arab Nations: India’s stance aligns with Arab nations like Morocco, Oman, and UAE, which have recognized Israel.
Importance of Israel from Change in Stance
- Enhanced Bilateral Relations: Under the current government, India’s relationship with Israel has become more open and supportive.
- De-hyphenated Policy: Prime Minister Modi’s 2017 visit to Israel without visiting Palestine marked a significant shift.
- Mutual Assistance: India benefits from Israel’s expertise in technology and security sectors.
- Defence and Technology Markets: India views Israel as a crucial partner in defense and technology.
Concerns Over Change in Stance
- India-Iran Ties: India’s ties with Iran may be strained due to its close relations with Israel.
- Neglect of the Palestinian Cause: Critics argue that India’s shift towards Israel may affect its diplomatic balance in the region.
- Discrimination Concerns: Israel’s policies towards minorities, including Palestinians and Jewish minorities from India, could impact diplomatic ties.
- India-Arab Relations: India’s energy security depends on Arab nations, and a pro-Israel stance might affect these relationships.
Indian foreign policy is robust enough to adapt to both Palestinian as well as Israeli interests, and as a result PM Modi had visited both states during his visit to the region. India requires Israel as a partner in defence and technology however at the same time we must not neglect our historic support for the Palestinian people.