How Modi ‘broke down walls’ between India, Israel – at Palestine’s expense
India’s relationship with Israel has moved from cautious engagement to a fast‑track partnership, a shift that many observers say comes at a cost to the Palestinian cause.
A new phase of cooperation
Since Narendra Modi took office, diplomatic visits, joint statements and high‑level meetings have become routine between New Delhi and Jerusalem. In the past two years, India signed a series of agreements covering defense equipment, agricultural technology, water management and cyber security. The most visible sign of the change was the 2023 visit of Israel’s defence minister to New Delhi, followed by Modi’s own trip to Israel in early 2024, where the two leaders announced a multi‑billion‑dollar arms deal that includes missile systems and drones.
These moves mark a departure from the Cold War‑era policy that kept India at arm’s length from Israel while supporting the Palestinian claim to statehood. The new agenda emphasizes shared strategic interests, such as counter‑terrorism, intelligence sharing and the development of high‑tech industries.
Why the shift matters
India’s growing partnership with Israel is significant for several reasons. First, it aligns New Delhi with a network of countries that view Israel as a key security partner in a region marked by instability. Second, the deals open up Indian markets to Israeli technology that can boost agriculture, water conservation and renewable energy—sectors that are central to India’s development goals. Third, the partnership signals a broader re‑orientation of India’s foreign policy toward a more pragmatic, interest‑driven approach rather than one based on historic non‑alignment.
However, the same steps have drawn criticism from Palestinian officials and human‑rights groups. They argue that India’s willingness to sell advanced weaponry to Israel, while continuing to support the Palestinian cause rhetorically, creates a contradictory stance. The criticism intensified after the arms deal was signed, with the Palestinian Authority accusing India of “turning a blind eye to the suffering in Gaza.”
Economic and strategic benefits for India
From an economic perspective, the partnership offers tangible returns. Israeli firms are leaders in drip‑irrigation, a technology that can help Indian farmers increase yields while conserving scarce water resources. Joint ventures in solar power and desalination are also expected to generate jobs and reduce India’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Strategically, the collaboration gives India access to cutting‑edge defence systems that can modernise its armed forces. The procurement of anti‑missile shields and unmanned aerial vehicles is part of a broader effort to enhance India’s deterrence capabilities, especially in the context of regional tensions with China and Pakistan.
Palestinian response and diplomatic fallout
Palestinian leaders have responded by urging India to reconsider its stance. In a recent statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on New Delhi to “uphold the principles of international law and the right of the Palestinian people to self‑determination.” The ministry also warned that India’s actions could undermine its credibility in the Global South, where many countries still view the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict through a humanitarian lens.
India’s foreign ministry has defended the policy, stating that its engagement with Israel does not diminish its support for a two‑state solution. Spokespersons emphasize that India continues to vote in favour of UN resolutions that call for a peaceful settlement and that it provides humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Regional and global implications
The deepening India‑Israel ties have ripple effects beyond South Asia. For the United States, a stronger Indo‑Israeli axis fits neatly into its own strategic vision of a “free and open Indo‑Pacific.” Washington has welcomed India’s moves, seeing them as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region.
In the Middle East, the shift may encourage other Muslim‑majority nations to reassess their own relationships with Israel. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already normalised ties with Jerusalem under the Abraham Accords, and Saudi Arabia is reportedly exploring a similar path. India’s stance could add momentum to this trend, potentially reshaping the diplomatic landscape of the region.
At the same time, the move risks alienating countries that remain staunch supporters of the Palestinian cause, such as Turkey, Iran and several African states. If India is perceived as prioritising defence sales over human rights concerns, it could face diplomatic push‑back in multilateral forums like the Non‑Aligned Movement.
What the future may hold
Looking ahead, several scenarios are possible. One path sees India deepening its defence and technology cooperation with Israel while maintaining a diplomatic balance that includes continued humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. In this model, New Delhi would act as a bridge, encouraging dialogue between the two sides.
A second, more contentious scenario involves India expanding its arms sales to Israel without addressing Palestinian grievances. Such a trajectory could lead to heightened criticism from civil‑society groups and could strain India’s relationships with countries that view the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict as a core foreign‑policy issue.
Finally, domestic politics could shape the outcome. As India’s electorate becomes more aware of foreign policy decisions, public opinion may influence how the government navigates the delicate balance between strategic interests and moral considerations.
India’s accelerated partnership with Israel reflects a pragmatic shift in its foreign policy, driven by economic, technological and security incentives. While the benefits for New Delhi are clear, the approach has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders who feel sidelined by the new reality. The evolving dynamic will test India’s ability to manage competing interests and could have lasting implications for the broader geopolitical balance in South Asia and the Middle East.