Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) meets Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Delhi, India, January 2018 (Getty)
India’s Challenges During Trump 2.0
Earlier this month, the Indian Army announced the successful completion of final tests of the Israeli-made Barak 8 missile defense system, a milestone in military cooperation between the two countries.
India has also become a key supplier of military-grade drones, such as the Hermes 900 UAV, developed through a joint venture between India’s Adani Group and Israel’s Elbit Systems. The UAVs have reportedly been used as weapons during Israel’s war on
Gaza.
In mid-February, the deepening partnership was marked by the 13th round of staff talks held in India, covering enhanced defense cooperation, joint training, technology sharing, and regional security.
As India deepens these defense ties, it is navigating both a supposed moral dilemma, given the human toll of Israel’s operations in Gaza, and strategic interests. Historically, Indian leaders have stood firmly with Palestine, as part of an anti-colonial legacy and leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement. But shifting geopolitical dynamics and India’s aspiration for status as a global power have gradually reshaped its stance.
So the question is raised: where does India truly stand?
The Root of India’s Relationship with Israel
Under the Government of Prime Minister Narenda Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, India has moved from non-alignment to multi-alignment, carefully managing relationships with powers such as US, China, Russia, and now Israel.
In 2017, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Today, bilateral trade exceeds $1 billion annually, driven primarily by the defense and technology sectors.
That has put a question mark over India’s support for Palestinian self-determination — but it is a challenge with deep roots.
In 1974, India recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. For decades, India upheld this commitment by backing Palestinian rights at international forums.
Yet from the late 1960s, India faced mounting pressures on two fronts — rising tensions with China, which had already led to the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and persistent border disputes with Pakistan. In this turbulent environment, India was in search of reliable military support.
So while support of Palestine offered solidarity with the
Arab world and the pro-Palestinian legacy, Israel offered modest yet critical arms assistance. This early engagement established the foundation for a relationship based on mutual interests, even if it remained relatively low-key.
The 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan was a turning point. In a conflict that exposed gaps in its military capabilities, India found itself increasingly isolated on the global stage. But Israel stepped in with critical military support, offering advanced intelligence and arms that proved instrumental in repelling the Pakistanis.
As India embarked on an ambitious path of defense modernization, the need for cutting-edge technology was paramount. Israel evolved from a modest arms partner into one of India’s principal suppliers. Military cooperation expanded from missile defense systems and UAVs to advanced surveillance and electronic warfare systems.
The Domestic Dimension
The developing stance on Israel triggered widespread protests, particularly in Muslim-majority regions and on university campuses, where students were vocal in their support for Palestine.
These have been amplified since Israel’s mass killings in Gaza, following Hamas’s cross-border incursion and killings in October 2023. Human rights organizations and activists openly criticized the Indian Government’s deepening defense partnership with the Israelis.
Underlying these protests is a persistent anti-colonial sentiment that resonates deeply with the public. For many, India’s history of resistance against imperial rule reinforces a moral obligation to stand with the oppressed, prioritizing humanitarian values over the pursuit of military objectives.
The ruling BJP has faced mounting criticism for suppressing dissent, curbing freedom of expression, and overseeing a rise in targeted violence against Muslim communities. These domestic tensions, with the assertion of democratic principles, have complicated India’s foreign policy calculus.
All of this is magnified by the open-ended nature of the Netanyahu Government’s attacks in Gaza. With no apparent end to the widespread civilian casualties, especially among women and children, the destruction of healthcare facilities, and the humanitarian crisis, ethical concerns will continue over India’s defense ties with Israel.
But recent arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters in India, alongside the increasingly visible camaraderie between the two nations’ Prime Ministers, signal the notable shift in India’s foreign policy.
Pragmatism now dictates India’s stance: strategic defense partnerships and great-power aspirations outweigh traditional solidarity with Palestine. As India pursues its national interests and its military capabilities, moral considerations against oppression and violence seem to have taken a backseat.
It is not Indian Government officially. Even United States and UN knows, it is BJP in India that with the help of loopholes in voter machine. came to power and then completely taken the Indian agencies in control. So now, it is Modi party and RSS controlling India. You can see any PM or government in India. Never supported Israel. If that is the case. tomorrow. same thing can happen like Pakistan occupying whole 90 percent of India. Same exact same situation here. no actual Indian will like that. However, only people who have all hate and against humanity only bycott the Gaza and palestine.
Well said. Unfortunately, it seems that politics, military priorities, and intelligence operations often take precedence over moral and humanitarian considerations. I completely agree with your point about the Indian government’s increasingly proactive stance in suppressing freedom of expression—particularly when it comes to minority rights. Thoughtfully written!