🇮🇳🤝🇮🇱: A Stunning New World Order? 🌍
Asia
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As of July 4, 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history with his first visit to Israel, a moment marked by a handshake and embrace with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Nine years later, the relationship between the two nations has deepened considerably. Trade volumes have surged, rising from $200 million in 1992 to over $6 billion by 2024, largely driven by exports of diamonds, petroleum, and chemicals. India is now Israel’s second-largest Asian trading partner. Recent developments include a Bilateral Investment Treaty and ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement. Despite complex regional dynamics, India maintains good relations with Israel, Arab powers, and Iran, suggesting a significant shift in New Delhi’s foreign policy approach.
THE SHIFTING ALLIANCES: INDIA’S REALIST TURN
India’s evolving relationship with Israel represents a significant departure from its long-standing support for Palestine and a broader shift towards a pragmatic, “realist” foreign policy. Historically, India had been a vocal advocate for Palestinian independence, aligning with the post-colonial global order and actively opposing the UN partition plan of 1947. This commitment extended to recognizing Palestine in 1988. However, several factors contributed to this change. The end of the Cold War prompted a realignment of India’s strategic calculations, leading to an outreach towards the United States while simultaneously establishing diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992. The rise of Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) further accelerated this shift. Modi’s Hindu nationalist ideology, mirroring Israel’s vision of a Jewish homeland, combined with a recognition of Israel's technological and military capabilities, created a powerful impetus for closer ties. This pragmatic approach, justified by India’s diplomats as a response to Israel’s “too much to offer to be ignored,” has fundamentally altered India’s foreign policy orientation.
THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: DEFENCE TIES AND WEAPONS SALES
The core of India’s burgeoning relationship with Israel lies in its robust defence cooperation. Beginning in the 1990s, and intensifying dramatically under Modi’s leadership, India has become Israel’s largest weapons buyer. This partnership is deeply intertwined with the strategic benefits both nations perceive. Israel’s expertise in technology and military systems, coupled with India’s burgeoning defense needs, has fostered a mutually beneficial exchange. Notably, in 2024, Indian arms manufacturers sold Israel rockets and explosives, a development that underscored the depth of this military alliance. Furthermore, ongoing discussions regarding the joint development of anti-ballistic missile defense systems demonstrate the strategic importance placed on this collaboration. This military-industrial complex, driven by shared security concerns and technological advancements, has solidified Israel’s position as a key strategic partner for India.
A PERSONAL FAVOR AND GLOBAL SIGNALING
Beyond the strategic and military considerations, Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel carries significant political weight, particularly for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As Israel navigates a critical period of domestic political uncertainty, facing a national election and grappling with the fallout from the October 7th attack and the subsequent war in Gaza, Modi’s visit serves as a personal favor, bolstering Netanyahu’s image as an international statesman. This visit is particularly noteworthy given the limited number of global leaders willing to be seen as allies of Israel during this tumultuous time, especially within emerging economies. “India is playing that role,” Kabir Taneja, the executive director of the Middle East office at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, stated, highlighting the strategic significance of Modi’s visit as a signal of Israel’s continued engagement on the world stage. The July 2017 visit, a watershed moment in bilateral ties, has been under scrutiny recently.
INDIA-ISRAEL RELATIONS: A SHIFTING STRATEGY
India’s burgeoning relationship with Israel, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, represents a significant strategic realignment with deep historical roots and evolving geopolitical considerations. Initially driven by economic opportunities and security cooperation, the relationship now appears to be shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including US foreign policy, regional instability, and India’s own evolving foreign policy doctrine. The core of this relationship rests on substantial trade growth, escalating from $200 million in 1992 to over $6 billion in 2024, primarily fueled by exports of diamonds, petroleum, and chemicals. Furthermore, the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in September of last year and ongoing negotiations for a free trade deal underscore the deepening commitment to economic integration.
THE MODI-EPSTEIN CONNECTION AND REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS
The revelation of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged advice to Prime Minister Modi during his 2018 visit to Israel, as detailed in leaked Justice Department emails, has ignited considerable controversy. Epstein’s assertion that Modi “danced and sang in Israel for the benefit of the US president” raises serious questions about the nature of the relationship and the potential for undue influence. India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly dismissed these claims as the “trashy ruminations” of a convicted criminal. However, the underlying dynamics of the relationship—particularly the perceived influence of a controversial figure—highlight the need for greater transparency and scrutiny. This situation has further amplified India’s stance against terrorism, aligning with the broader US strategy.
A MULTIFACETED STRATEGY: INDIA'S ROLE IN THE CHANGING MIDDLE EAST
Despite its deepening ties with Israel, India continues to maintain a nuanced approach to the Palestinian issue, advocating for a two-state solution and emphasizing the importance of dialogue. Rooted in India's historical role within the non-alignment movement during the Cold War, this approach reflects a broader strategic commitment to regional stability. India’s historical support for the Palestinian cause, championed by Mahatma Gandhi’s condemnation of “the imposition of Jews over Arabs,” demonstrates a longstanding commitment to the region. Currently, India refers to its foreign policy as “strategic autonomy,” prioritizing a non-interventionist stance to avoid entanglement in regional conflicts. This strategy is particularly evident in the Middle East, where India cultivates relationships with Israel, Arab powers, and Iran, recognizing the value of maintaining neutral relationships to avoid being drawn into regional confrontations. Recent developments, including India’s cessation of oil purchases from Iran and the abandonment of the Chabahar port project under pressure from President Trump, demonstrate this commitment to strategic autonomy. Looking ahead, India is anticipating a potential shift in the Middle East, where Iran could face significant repercussions from the US and Israel, potentially positioning Israel as a regional hegemon and benefiting India’s strategic interests.
This article is AI-synthesized from public sources and may not reflect original reporting.