India once stood firmly with Palestine. In 1947, it voted against the UN plan to partition Palestine. It recognised the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1974 and acknowledged the State of Palestine in 1988, before many other nations did.
For decades, India’s foreign policy was rooted in anti-colonial ideals and pan-Third World solidarity.
But that has changed.
Today, India is closer to Israel than ever before. During the recent Gaza conflict, India voted against a UN resolution calling for a humanitarian truce. Prime Minister Narendra Modi swiftly condemned the 7 October attacks by Hamas and expressed support for Israel, without issuing a counterbalancing statement on the Palestinian civilian toll.
So, What’s Driving this Shift?
The reasons are complex, but at the heart of it lies the rise of Hindu nationalism. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Modi has long admired Israel’s hardline stance on terrorism and its identity as a Jewish nation-state.
This resonates with the BJP’s vision of a Hindu-first India. Both Hindutva and Zionism draw on majoritarian ideologies grounded in history, religion, and the notion of reclaiming “lost” homelands.
Another reason is that India views Israel as a vital military partner, purchasing over $2 billion worth of Israeli weapons annually. Since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992, collaboration has expanded in defence, surveillance, and agriculture. U
Under Modi, this relationship has deepened further into what many now call a strategic alliance.
Domestic Politics also play a Significant Role
Pro-Israel sentiment serves to reinforce the BJP’s anti-Muslim rhetoric. Labelling Hamas as “Islamic terrorists” bolsters Islamophobic narratives within India. While pro-Palestine protests have been banned, pro-Israel rallies have gone ahead with government backing.
Meanwhile, right-wing social media accounts continue to circulate anti-Palestinian misinformation online.
Aligning with Israel also strengthens India’s ties with the United States and distances it from China. Amid strained relations with Canada and ongoing concerns about Western criticism over human rights, India is doubling down on its “anti-terrorism” narrative to align more closely with Western powers.
But Not Everyone in India Supports this Realignment
Despite the government’s sentiment, many citizens privately sympathise with the Palestinian cause. Scholars like Ashok Swain and Pamela Philipose argue that this shift is not just about foreign alliances, it reflects a broader attempt to rewrite India’s anti-colonial and secular foundations.
Ultimately, India’s embrace of Israel signifies a deeper transformation. It is not merely geopolitical, it is ideological. The shift reveals much about India’s evolving identity, its priorities on the world stage, and the domestic forces driving this change.
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