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Anti-Israel to Israel-Friendly India

India and Israel both countries have some similarities in their foreign policy objectives. Israel faces hostile neighbors and India too is surrounded by competitive rivals, China and Pakistan. 

India had a troubled relationship with Israel for almost four decades due to several factors. India didn’t have diplomatic mission in Israel before 1992, the rivalry between USSR and the USA prevented India to pursue any independent relationship. How India’s stand as anti-Israel policy changed to friendly relations is a story, worth to tell.

Let’s start with Indian Freedom Struggle

During Indian freedom struggle period, Indian leaders especially Mahatma Gandhi and J L Nehru vehemently supported Arab countries. The Congress party was facing an opposition from Muslim League who were demanding a separate state for Muslim population. The Congress Party needed the support from everyone, thus without assessing the Israel issue with merit, they held anti-Israel and pro-Arab posture.

As Gandhi wrote in his Horizon Magazine:

“Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English and France to the French.”

This line perfectly sums up the India’s stand on Palestine issue, which would dominate the Indian foreign policy making over the decades. On the other hand, a small population of Jews were living in India before the destruction of Second Temple in 70AD. Historically, anti-Semitism which haunted Jews for centuries in Christian Europe, remained alien to Indian culture. The insignificant demographic strength of Jewish people carried little influence over Congress and Muslim League. There was a rivalry between both parties to get the support of Muslims.

United Nations Special Committee for Palestine 1947

India was elected to 11-member UN Committee for Palestine to determine the future of Palestine under British Mandate. Majority of the members advocated two-state solution while Indian delegation proposed Federal Palestine. To the disappointment of India, both Jews and Arabs rejected the Indian proposal. India continued its anti-Israel stand on global multilateral forums, even opposed Israel’s admission to the UN. Israel was admitted into UN in 1950.

India’s first PM Nehru was in favor of normalization of Indo-Israel relations and even there was a willingness to have a diplomatic mission in 1952. But it couldn’t be fulfilled due to opposition by Nehru’s colleague, Maulana Azad. He cited anti-Israel feeling in Indian Muslims and possibility of Pakistan fostering anti-India feeling among Arab countries.

Suez Crisis and aftermath

During the Suez Crisis 1956, Israel collaborated with former imperial powers such as France and Britain against Egypt. India as a staunch supporter of anti-imperialism and founding member of non-alignment movement, the country couldn’t afford to support Israel. One of the ill-judged decision to support UN resolution that equated Zionism to Racism, was beyond comprehension.

The end of cold war in 1990, provided Indian foreign policy makers much needed relief from ideological baggage of non-alignment. India established diplomatic relations in 1992. Since then, Indo-Israel relations have moved into an era of great understanding of each other needs. 

The major area of cooperation has been Israeli arms export to India. Israel currently is the second highest arms exporter to India after Russia. Both countries are also currently working on Free Trade Agreement.

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