Recent Development in India's Foreign Policy - 4 | PSIR Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

India Israel Relations

History of India Israel Relations

India recognized Israel on September 17, 1950, but established full diplomatic relations only in 1992.

• India was part of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) while maintaining close ties with the Soviet bloc and the Arab world. In contrast, Israel was an ally of the United States and NATO.
• Since the upgrading of India-Israel relations in 1992, defense and agriculture have been the two main pillars of bilateral engagement.
• In recent years, relations have expanded rapidly across various sectors, with a future focus on a strong high-tech partnership between two knowledge-based economies.

India Israel Ties until 1992

Reasons for Delayed Diplomatic Relations Between India and Israel

• Political Ideology: India's commitment to the non-aligned movement led to a cooling of relations with Israel, which was increasingly viewed as aligned with the Western bloc.
• Ties with Arab Countries: India's dependence on Arab nations for oil imports influenced a pro-Arab stance in its West Asia policy.
• Kashmir Issue: India's need for Arab support regarding the Kashmir issue necessitated a strong pro-Arab policy.
• Nehru and Gandhi's Principles: Both leaders supported the Palestinian cause and opposed the idea of a two-nation solution based on religious criteria.
• Israel's Global Position: As a nation often seen as an international scofflaw and occupying power, Israel faced challenges in establishing diplomatic ties with countries in the Global South, including India.
• Shift in India's Stance: Over time, India's position evolved, particularly regarding the Kashmir issue, where West Asia supported Pakistan.
• Oslo Accords of 1993: The agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aimed to create a framework for peace and self-governance in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

India Israel Relationship

Political Relations: India and Israel enjoy friendly political ties, with increased high-level exchanges and ministerial visits enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

• Economic and Commercial Ties: Bilateral merchandise trade surged from USD 200 million in 1992 to USD 10.1 billion (excluding defense) in FY 2022-2023, with India benefiting from a favorable balance of trade.
• India ranks as Israel's third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh-largest globally.
• Key Indian exports to Israel include pearls, precious stones, automotive diesel, chemicals, machinery, electrical equipment, plastics, textiles, metals, and agricultural products.
• Israel's major exports to India comprise pearls, precious stones, chemicals, machinery, electrical equipment, petroleum oils, defense-related goods, and transportation equipment.
• I2U2: Founded in 2021, this strategic partnership involves India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, aiming to promote economic development, scientific innovation, and regional stability.
• Defense Cooperation: Israel has been a top arms supplier to India, with both countries collaborating on security issues, including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
• Participation in ‘Make in India’: Israeli defense companies like IAI, Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems partner with Indian firms such as Bharat Forge, Tech Mahindra, Adani Group, and Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture specialized sub-systems and enhance homeland security systems.
  
• Agricultural Cooperation: Formalized through three-year work plans, the fifth joint program signed in 2021 aims to establish and grow Centers of Excellence. A Memorandum of Understanding on Water Resources Management and Development Cooperation was signed in November 2016.
• Science and Technology: A Joint Committee on S&T was established under the 1993 Cooperation Agreement. The India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) promotes joint industrial R&D projects.
• Energy: India has shown interest in exploring and importing natural gas from the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields off the Israeli coast, with Indian companies like ONGC Videsh, Bharat PetroResources, Indian Oil, and Oil India awarded exploration licenses.
• Cultural Exchange: Approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian origin live in Israel, primarily from Maharashtra (Bene Israelis), Kerala (Cochini Jews), and Kolkata (Baghdadi Jews), with recent migrations from North Eastern states (Bnei Menashe). Academic collaboration between Indian and Israeli universities has been fostered through agreements, including a funding program for joint academic research launched in May 2013.

Israel-Palestine Conflict

• In early October 2023, tensions escalated between Israel and Hamas, the militant group based in Gaza.
• Hamas initiated the conflict by launching rocket attacks into Israel and infiltrating southern Israeli regions, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking.
• In response, Israel quickly launched a retaliatory operation against Hamas.
• Within a day of the attacks, Israel officially declared war on Hamas. The Israeli Defense Minister ordered a "complete siege" of Gaza as part of the military response.
• India's Prime Minister expressed shock at the escalation, labeling the events as "terrorist attacks" and expressing solidarity with Israel during this crisis.

Background of the Conflict

Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict:

• The conflict traces back to the late 19th century when tensions began to rise over land and national identity.

Partition Plan:

• In 1947, the United Nations proposed a plan to divide the land of British Mandate Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Historical Context:

• Palestine was originally part of the Ottoman Empire and later came under British rule after World War I.

Arab-Israeli War:

• On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was declared, leading to the first Arab-Israeli War.
• The war ended in 1949 with Israel gaining territory, but it also caused the displacement of many Palestinians.
• The land was divided into three parts:Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

Six-Day War:

• In 1967, another major conflict, known as the Six-Day War, resulted in Israel occupying several territories:
• East Jerusalem,West Bank,Golan Heights,Gaza Strip, and the Sinai Peninsula.

India’s Stand on Israel-Palestine Conflict

India's relations with Israel and Palestine have been complex and have evolved over the past 70 years.

• India has historically supported the Palestinian cause, following the principles of Third World Solidarity and non-violence established during the Nehruvian era.
• India's position on Palestine has been influenced by the consensus in the Arab world, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the United Nations (UN).
• India was one of the last non-Muslim countries to recognize Israel but was the first non-Arab state to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
• India has emphasized that the two-state solution is the only viable option for peace between Israel and Palestine and that direct negotiations are essential for achieving this.

What is the “Dehyphenation Policy” of India with respect to the Israel-Palestine Conflict?

De-hyphenation Policy of India Regarding Israel and Palestine:

• Definition: The de-hyphenation policy refers to India's effort to separate its relationships with Israel and Palestine, treating them independently rather than as linked.
• Historical Context: Previously, India's approach was heavily influenced by its support for the Palestinian cause, often intertwining its relationships with both parties.
• Recent Shift: In recent years, India has aimed to broaden its relationships with both Israel and Palestine, maintaining support for the Palestinian cause while engaging with Israel on separate terms.
• Independent Engagement: Under the de-hyphenation policy, India seeks to engage with Israel and Palestine independently, pursuing its interests with each country on separate tracks.
• Merit-Based Relationship: India's relationship with Israel is now based on its own merits, independent of its relationship with the Palestinians.
• Historical Hyphenation: During the Cold War era, India’s approach was more intertwined due to geopolitical considerations, and this continued post-Cold War out of concern for Arab relations.

Challenges in India Israel Relations

Factors Hindering India-Israel Relations:

• Relation with Iran: Israel views Iran as a major threat, while India has important energy cooperation with Iran and values the Chabahar port route for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• Approach towards the Arab world: Israel has conflicts with Arab nations, while India recently voted at the UN against the US regarding Jerusalem, highlighting India's strong interests in the Arab region.
• Stand on China: China is Israel’s largest trading partner in Asia, with significant technology and investment ties, complicating India's position since China is also a major partner for India.
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): The FTA negotiations are stalled due to concerns from the Indian domestic industry.
• Israel-Palestine Issue: India finds it challenging to separate its stance on Israel from its position on Palestine, which impacts its foreign policy and relations with Israel and other Middle Eastern countries.

Way Forward

India's Balancing Act in the Middle East:

• India has successfully navigated its interests in the Middle East without siding with either of the conflicting nations.
• Flexibility in favor of India's national interest should be the top priority when dealing with Israel and Arab countries.

Enhancing India-Israel Collaboration:

• A comprehensive approach is crucial for fostering collaboration between Indian and Israeli entities at governmental, business, and inter-business levels.
• Collaboration against rising radicalization and cyber terrorism is essential.
• India could adopt Israel's three-tiered strategy for a robust and resilient cyber system with strong defense capabilities.

Strengthening People-to-People Contacts:

• Despite improving relations, people-to-people contact between India and Israel is still lacking.
• Increased citizen engagement will deepen the relationship between the two countries.

Expanding Trade Volumes:

• Trade volumes between India and Israel are increasing but still below potential levels.
• Implementing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expanding the trade basket should be prioritized.

Striking a Balance:

• India needs to maintain a balance between its relations with Israel and Palestine for geostrategic needs and international morality.

Future Potential:

• Despite challenges, the strategic cooperation between India and Israel has immense potential and is set to grow further.
• Both countries have developed a strong strategic partnership in various fields, including defense, agriculture, technology, and counterterrorism.
• Finding common ground and addressing bilateral issues will be crucial for the future of India-Israel relations.