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The IUP Journal of International Relations

The Impact of Gandhian Ideology on India's Israel Policy

Article Details

Pub. Date	: Apr, 2019
Product Name	: The IUP Journal of Soft Skills
Product Type	: Article
Product Code	: IJIR11904
Author Name	: Deepti Tiwari
Availability	: YES
Subject/Domain	: Management
Download Format	: PDF Format
No. of Pages	: 19

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Abstract

Gandhi's politics in India largely coincided with the tenure of the British Mandate in Palestine. His most famous quotation relating to international relations is "Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English or France to the French" which is the guiding principle of India's foreign policy before independence. Even after independence, successive Indian governments have pursued the same line in the sphere of its Middle Eastern policies, i.e., followed Gandhian pro-Arab policy. But with the ascendancy of the present Modi government, things have changed with many high profile official visits. It marks a transition in India's history, where India has finally gone all out in announcing its critically important relationship with the Israeli nation-which has for decades otherwise been a covert, behind-closed-doors bilateral interaction, anchored in military and intelligence discussions. But at the same time, India does not abandon Gandhian policy and continues to have a soft spot for Palestine. As older relationships and partnerships change and new actors emerge, it is time for a reorientation of India's 'Look West' policy in the context of modern-day geopolitical realities.

Description

West Asia occupies a very significant position in the world politics due to its geographical condition. It is a land bridge which links three continents-Asia, Africa and Europe-and thus gives to the occupants not only great geographical advantages but also favorable trade conditions. The region is surrounded by three major seas-the Mediterranean, the Red and the Arabian. The two most important waterways of the world, viz., the straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and the Suez connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea are also located here.1 In addition to this, the vast reserves of oil have perpetually attracted special interest from the western powers, particularly the US.