This article has been written by Faiza M, currently in fourth year pursuing a BBA LLB (Hons.) at Crescent University, Chennai.
Abstract:
In 2024, the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated, affecting regional and international stability. Traditionally, India has enjoyed a balanced relationship with Israel and Palestine based on non-cooperation, respect for sovereignty and commitment to peaceful negotiations, but India’s involvement in this conflict has provided deep and careful management of global forces pressures through a mixture of the article, which fosters resolve while cursing, examines the historical, political and economic factors of India’s involvement and the ways in which it maintains relations a the balance between regional interests.
This study also highlights India’s unique diplomatic position balancing traditional alliances with growing influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy suggests that its approach can serve as a model for conflict resolution in responsibly in a complex and multilateral world. By breaking down India’s mediation role, we gain insight into its internationalisation and its implications for its future role in global conflict resolution. Ultimately, this study positions India as a key country that can promote peace through careful and responsible diplomacy.
Key words: Israel, Hamas, Conflict, Mediation, India
Introduction:
Since its independence in 1947, India has pursued a foreign policy that emphasizes non-alignment, multilateralism, and strategic autonomy. These principles, developed during the Cold War, enabled India to maintain its independence in foreign affairs, developing partnerships across ideological lines while avoiding entangling alliances. This unique diplomatic standing has enabled India to establish connections with states who are frequently at conflict with one another, such as Israel and Palestine.
India’s relationship with Israel and Palestine is based on a greater commitment to sovereignty, peaceful diplomacy, and balanced relations in a dangerous region. India was one of the first non-Arab countries to acknowledge the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and push for Palestinian self determination. At the same time, India formally recognized Israel in 1950 and established full diplomatic relations in 1992. This delicate balancing act has enabled India to strengthen economic and strategic connections with Israel while still advocating for Palestinian rights -a complex posture that exemplifies its non-aligned, inclusive approach.
In 2024, the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted in bloodshed, claiming civilians lives and disrupting the area. This outbreak has not only caused an alarming humanitarian situation, but has also highlighted the critical necessity for diplomatic involvement. International powers, including the United States, European Union, Russia, and China, have urged both parties to pursue a peaceful solution. Within this perspective, India’s proactive participation in peace efforts represents a significant shift. India has historically been unwilling to assume a direct role in Middle Eastern crises, but its participation in this mediation indicates a potential expansion of its foreign policy.
India’s interests in the Middle East are vast and diverse. The region is critical to India’s energy security, supplying the vast majority of its oil and gas imports. Furthermore, with millions of Indian expats residing in Middle Eastern countries, India has a stake in the region’s security, as disturbances might jeopardize the safety and lives of its residents overseas.Furthermore, maintaining cordial relations with Israel, a crucial defense and technology partner, while also supporting the Palestinian cause, is important to India’s long-standing diplomatic ideology. India’s mediation approach to the 2024 Israel-Hamas confrontation is based on pragmatic diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and multilateralism.
However, India’s involvement in the Israel – Hamas conflict is not without difficulties. To avoid negative reactions from either side, the country must carefully manage its connections with Israel and Palestine. Furthermore, India faces indirect pressure from global powers with long-standing interests in the region. Domestically, India’s diplomatic maneuvers are widely observed, since its sizable Muslim population and longstanding support for Palestinian self determination sway popular opinion on the subject.
This article examines India’s intentions, strategies, and ramifications in the 2024 Israel-Hamas conflict. It assesses the possible influence of India’s mediation on its diplomatic relationships and global stature, as well as the broader implications of India’s proactive role in future peace building efforts. The paper examines how India’s approach might serve as a model for responsible and constructive diplomacy in a multipolar world, establishing India as an emergent power in international conflict resolution.
Historical Context of India’s Relations with Israel and Palestine:
India’s relations with Israel and Palestine demonstrate its commitment to a balanced and strategic diplomatic approach. India recognized Israel in 1950 but maintained a limited relationship due to Cold War politics and internal issues. This changed in the 1990s, when India began to seek closer connections with Israel, particularly in areas such as technology, agriculture, and defense, where Israeli expertise was invaluable (Jha, 2023).[1] Today, Israel plays an important role in India’s security strategy, including modern military technology and intelligence collaboration.
India has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause, motivated by the values of non-alignment and solidarity with other developing countries. India officially recognized the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1974 and has always supported for Palestinian’s self determination, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel (Kumar, 2019).[2]
India supports a two-state solution for peaceful coexistence and has strong connections with both Israel and Palestine (Balancing Act). This delicate balancing act enables India to improve ties with Israel while maintaining its long standing support for Palestinian rights, demonstrating its dedication to diplomacy and neutrality in international crises.
2024 Israel-Hamas Conflict-An Overview:
The 2024 Israel- Hamas confrontation, characterised by tremendous bloodshed and terrible consequences for civilians, has sparked global concern and calls for rapid resolution.
- Conflict Triggers: The 2024 escalation stems from long- standing regional tensions, such as territorial conflicts, religious tensions, and sociopolitical difficulties, as well as recent events that have heightened hostility. These elements have triggered a cycle of conflict, involving adjacent regions and exacerbating the humanitarian disaster. Understanding these drivers is critical for comprehending the urgency and complexity of India’s reaction.
- International Response: As the crisis progressed, the United Nations and major world powers, including the United States, Russia, and the European Union, urged both sides to exercise restraint and participate in negotiation to avoid further escalation. Recognizing the importance of regional stability, India joined similar appeals, urging an early cease-fire and diplomatic attempts to end the conflict.
- International Response: As the situation continued, the United Nations and major world powers, including the United States, Russia, and the European Union, urged both parties to show restraint and engage in negotiations to avoid further escalation. Recognizing the importance of regional stability, India joined similar calls for an early cease-fire and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
India’s Motivation for Mediation:
India’s decision to mediate the 2024 Israel-Hamas battle is motivated by a mix of economic, strategic, and local considerations.
- Energy and economic interests: India relies heavily on the Middle East for energy security, importing a significant amount of oil and gas. Stability in the Middle East is so critical for ensuring consistent energy supplies and avoiding price variations that could hinder India’s economic growth. India wants to defend its energy interests while also ensuring economic stability by encouraging peaceful resolutions.
- Strategic Autonomy: India’s foreign policy stance, termed as “strategic autonomy,” demonstrates its dedication to independence and non-alignment. Rather of associating with a single global power, India seeks to establish a distinct diplomatic role, positioning itself as a mediator capable of engaging in unbiased dialogue with both sides of a conflict. In a multipolar world, India’s mediation efforts help to boost its international stature and position it as a responsible global participant.
- Domestic and Diaspora Considerations: With a big Muslim population and a significant diaspora in the Middle East, India must approach the crisis diplomatically. A balanced strategy allows India to retain internal unity while avoiding reaction from the domestic and foreign societies. By engaging in impartial, humanitarian-focused mediation, India not only respects its home emotions but also protects its relationships with other countries in the area.
India’s Mediation Approach:
India’s mediation plan in the 2024 Israel-Hamas crisis is balanced and multifaceted, emphasising diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and international collaboration. Through these joint measures, India hopes to promote de-escalation, meet immediate civilian needs, and help to long-term regional stability.
India has engaged in direct communication with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, asking them to prioritise restraint and open channels for peace. India has highlighted the significance of peaceful resolution in bilateral conversations while maintaining a neutral attitude. By continuing connection with both parties, India hopes to overcome gaps and foster compromise, laying the framework for future peace negotiations.
Humanitarian Aid: In response to the humanitarian disaster caused by the fighting, India has supplied medical supplies, food, and other necessary resources to the affected areas. This humanitarian effort not only illustrates India’s commitment to reducing civilian suffering, but it also strengthens its image as a compassionate and nonpartisan mediator. By focusing on the immediate needs of those affected, India hopes to demonstrate solidarity with people caught in the crossfire while adhering to international standards for compassionate conflict resolution.
Challenges and Limitations in India’s Mediation Efforts:
India’s mediation in the 2024 Israel-Hamas confrontation displays its diplomatic ambitions, but it faces considerable hurdles that highlight the intricacies of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
- Geopolitical pressures: India faces indirect but significant pressure from important allies, like the US, which has a close alliance with Israel and historically gives political and military support. At the same time, India must reconsider its connections with Arab countries that support Palestine. This balancing act requires India to carefully manage global power dynamics, ensuring that its mediation efforts do not disrupt vital relationships while remaining impartial. India’s objective is to stress its position without alienating important allies on both sides of the conflict (Ghosh, 2024).[3]
- Balancing Relationships: India’s links with Israel are critical for defence and technological collaboration, but its relations with Arab countries are equally important, particularly for energy security and trade. This strategic balancing effort is complex; any public comment or policy may strain relations with one side, affecting India’s economic and political interests. Overt support for one party over the other, for example, could elicit retaliation from Israeli or Palestinian friends, jeopardising India’s regional strategic partnerships. To prevent potential repercussions, India’s mediation efforts will need to be carefully worded and courteous.
- Influence Limitations: Although India has created a presence on the world stage, its position in conflict resolution is relatively new, limiting its influence in comparison to established countries such as the United States, Russia, and the European Union. India does not have a long history of participating in Middle Eastern peace processes, thus it may not have the same level of diplomatic leverage as typical mediators. While India’s impartial posture and balanced diplomacy are valuable, they may not be sufficient to have decisive influence in discussions, where long-standing mediators frequently wield more authority and confidence. Furthermore, India’s lack of direct influence on either Israel or Hamas may limit its ability to achieve significant progress on its own.
Comparative Analysis: India vs. Other Mediators:
A comparison of India’s mediation strategy to the 2024 Israel-Hamas crisis with other traditional and non-traditional mediators finds significant differences in diplomatic techniques, prejudices, and potential efficacy. Each mediator brings unique strengths and challenges to the peace process.
The United States :
The United States has been a long-time supporter of Israel, offering significant military and economic support. It has a great influence in the region and frequently mediates peace talks. However, the United States’ mediation efforts are regularly criticised for their perceived bias toward Israel, which can jeopardise its credibility as an unbiased mediator. This partisanship may alienate Palestinian officials and undermine their trust in the United States’ role, complicating the negotiations. While the United States has the leverage to put pressure on Israel due to its strong relations, its inability to balance interests has frequently resulted in deadlocks in peace talks.
Russia and the EU :
Both Russia and the European Union (EU) have attempted to take a balanced approach to mediation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Russia has always maintained contacts with both parties, capitalising on its position as a major player in the region. However, it is also under pressure from regional dynamics and its own geopolitical interests, which can occasionally sway its actions. While advocating for a two-state solution and providing humanitarian help, the EU faces internal differences among its member states over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Russia and the EU, like the United States, face difficulty in gaining confidence with Palestinian leaders since their actions may be regarded as motivated by their own geopolitical aims.
India’s Unique Position:
In contrast to these traditional mediators, India’s approach is distinguished by a focus on humanitarianism and a pledge to non-intervention. India has established itself as a neutral actor by promoting discussion and cooperation rather than partisanship. This peculiar position arises from India’s long-standing sympathy for the Palestinian cause, as well as its expanding relations to Israel.
- Humanitarian Focus: India’s humanitarian help and emphasis on meeting the urgent needs of conflict-affected civilians are well received by both parties. This humanitarian lens enables India to position itself as a mediator dedicated to alleviating suffering, increasing its legitimacy.
- Non-Interventionism: India’s diplomatic doctrine values respecting sovereignty and not interfering in other countries’ domestic issues. This principle may appeal to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, who frequently prefer a mediator who does not force answers or apply undue pressure.
- Balanced Diplomacy: India’s diplomatic past allows for engagement with many stakeholders in the area, positioning it as a bridge-builder rather than polarising figure. This balanced approach may promote conversation and trust between opposing groups.
Conclusion:
India’s involvement in the 2024 Israel-Hamas confrontation is a significant shift in its international diplomacy, demonstrating its dedication to global peace and conflict resolution. While India’s mediation efforts confront considerable hurdles, its balanced approach and humanitarian orientation may position it as a helpful mediator on a global scale. The outcomes of this engagement may have an impact on India’s future position in international diplomacy, especially in volatile regions such as the Middle East. India has the chance to improve its global image, affirm its strategic autonomy policy, and make a meaningful contribution to a world order that values peaceful discussion and collaboration by taking cautious steps.
References:
- Ghosh, A. (2024). The Rise of India in Global Mediation: Challenges and Prospects. Journal of Global Affairs, 18(3), 215-230.
- Jha, R. (2023). “India’s Relations with Israel: Balancing Act in the Middle East.” International Affairs Review, 12(2), 102-115.
- Kumar, S. (2019). India and Palestine: A Historical Perspective. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
- Sharma, T. (2024). “India’s Response to the Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Humanitarian Approach.” Indian Express, May 10, 2024.
- Siddiqui, F. (2024). “Energy and Diplomacy: Why the Middle East Matters to India.” Economic and Political Weekly, 59(4), 83-98.
- Verma, M. (2024). Strategic Autonomy in Indian Foreign Policy: An Evolving Approach to Global Diplomacy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[1] Jha, R. (2023). “India’s Relations with Israel: Balancing Act in the Middle East.” International Affairs Review, 12(2), 102-115.
[2] Kumar, S. (2019). India and Palestine: A Historical Perspective. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
[3] Ghosh, A. (2024). The Rise of India in Global Mediation: Challenges and Prospects. Journal of Global Affairs, 18(3), 215-230.
