India is a country deeply wounded by colonialism. Apart from
millions of people losing their lives during Britain’s centuries-long rule over
India, the repercussions of the dark days continue to reverberate in the
country's societal fabric to this day.
Challenges
such as unemployment, famine, inadequate access to sanitation, education, and
healthcare, as well as pervasive violence across caste, religious, and gender
lines serve as poignant reminders that the impacts of the British colonial era
are still alive and kicking in the Indian society.
This is why individuals within India and around the globe
were astonished when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged as one of the
only world leaders to join Western officials and condemn the October 07 Hamas
operation against Israel, an entity that undeniably evokes parallels to the
British Raj.
“Deeply
shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel, our thoughts and prayers
are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel
at this difficult hour," Modi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, a few
hours after Operation Al-Aqsa Storm took place.
India has long been recognized by many Muslims as a fervent
advocate for the Palestinian cause, evident in its rich diplomatic history replete
with pro-Palestine actions.
From its vote against the partition of Palestine at the
United Nations General Assembly in 1947 to its distinction as the first
non-Arab state to support the Palestinians' liberation struggles during the
1960s and 1970s, the nation has consistently voiced solidarity with those
enduring experiences akin to India's own during the 19th and 20th centuries.
While
it is undeniable that India's solidarity with Palestinians has waned during the
nine-year tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Modi's complete solidarity with
Israel on October 07, and his decision to abstain from voting for a UN
resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza on October 27, were still
seen as unorthodox.
“After the Cold War India has generally tried to turn to the
West’s orbit. That’s why after New Delhi refused to condemn Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine, Modi thought that it would only be right that he stood alongside
Western politicians regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict,” Dr. Nozar Shafiei,
professor of international relations at the University of Tehran, told the
Tehran Times.
Several theories attempt to explain why Modi’s government
adopted a notably stronger pro-Israel stance than customary during the latest
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Critics
posit that the governing BJP party, accused of leveraging the backing of the
Hindu majority, perceives parallels between itself and the Israeli regime. Both
entities find themselves surrounded by Muslims viewed as posing a threat, and
both espouse a form of nationalism rooted in religion. Additionally, it is
argued that the BJP aims to capitalize on religious polarization to secure
votes, making an anti-Muslim stance far more strategically advantageous.
With certain Arab states beginning to embrace normalization
with Israel, Modi may have believed that by October 07, the Palestinian cause
had lost significance within the Arab world. Consequently, he may have
concluded that adopting a pro-Israel position would help please the West while
not negatively impacting India’s relations with Arab countries.
It
seems, however, that the Indian leader soon came to realize that he was kind of
wrong in his calculations.
India’s response to the war in Gaza came in two stages. The
first one was released a few hours after the October 07 operation by Hamas
which was seen by the majority in India as hasty. People even accused him of
reflecting the views of Hindu extremists.
India has a culture of peace and while it is true that some
are extremely Islamophobic, the majority of people in the Indian society feel
sympathetic towards the Palestinians. With growing opposition inside India and
public opinion turning against Israel, the Indian government began to rectify
its controversial position.
As lifeless bodies accumulated in Gaza and global
demonstrations in support of the Palestinians intensified, the Indian
government began to call upon Israel for restraint, dialogue, and diplomatic
measures, while vehemently condemning the regime’s relentless targeting of
civilians.
Once more, the two-state solution took center stage in
Indian statements as the country endeavored to maintain a balanced stance,
steering clear of further entrenchment within Israel’s sphere of influence.
India recalibrated its diplomatic posture as its officials
recognized the broader regional and global significance of the Palestinian
cause, an awareness shared by numerous nations in the region.
The events following October 07 underscored that not only do
the Palestinians remain resolute against the Israeli occupation, but that
normalization agreements have failed to diminish wide-ranging support for the
resistance. India which aspires to emerge as a potential superpower in the future
cannot possibly overlook the Palestinian issue if it aims to play a pivotal
role in West Asia.
“Although it was unlikely that ties between India and
Muslim-majority nations begin to fray due to New Delhi’s initial support for
Israel, India's largely positive standing in West Asia may have been
compromised by a continued pro-Israel posture. Such a trajectory could have
posed severe challenges for India in its contest with China, which has garnered
acclaim for its fair and wiser stance during the recent Israel-Gaza conflict.
Though
India continues to tread cautiously to evade drawing the ire of its Western
allies, the notably pro-Israeli stance that sparked controversy at the onset of
the conflict has conspicuously receded.
While no one anticipates India to find a definitive solution
to the Palestinian issue, it is also expected that the country refrain from
expressing sympathy towards colonizers empowered with the aid of Britain.
Courtesy: The Tehran Times
