India’s relationship with Israel has deepened significantly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the war in Gaza bringing the country’s increasingly close ties with Israel into sharper focus. An Al Jazeera report examining the relationship says India’s shift towards Israel began well before the current Gaza conflict, but the war has exposed how far the partnership has developed. India was once one of the strongest supporters of the Palestinian cause. New Delhi opposed the creation of Israel in 1948, recognised the Palestine Liberation Organization early and established diplomatic relatio

India’s relationship with Israel has deepened significantly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the war in Gaza bringing the country’s increasingly close ties with Israel into sharper focus. An Al Jazeera report examining the relationship says India’s shift towards Israel began well before the current Gaza conflict, but the war has exposed how far the partnership has developed. India was once one of the strongest supporters of the Palestinian cause. New Delhi opposed the creation of Israel in 1948, recognised the Palestine Liberation Organization early and established diplomatic relations with Israel only in 1992. Under Modi, the relationship has become much more public and strategic. Cooperation now extends across defence, intelligence, technology, trade and security, while Israel has become an important supplier of military equipment to India. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack further changed the political tone. Modi strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Israel. Since then, India has maintained close relations with the Israeli government despite growing international criticism over the war in Gaza. Indian officials continue to support a two-state solution and Palestinian statehood, while New Delhi has called for humanitarian assistance and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. However, analysts cited in the report say India’s close security and defence relationship with Israel, combined with political and ideological considerations inside India, has made New Delhi increasingly reluctant to publicly confront the Israeli government. The partnership also reflects wider strategic interests. Israel provides India with defence and intelligence capabilities, while India offers Israel an important economic and geopolitical partner in Asia. As Israel faces growing criticism from parts of the international community over its conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, India has largely maintained its engagement. The evolving relationship illustrates a broader shift in Indian foreign policy: from a traditionally strong pro-Palestinian position towards a more strategic partnership with Israel, while still formally supporting Palestinian statehood.

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