The Israel-Palestine Conflict and South Asian Diplomacy, Explained

South Asian countries historically saw the Israel-Palestine conflict as a symptom of British interference. More recently, they balance ties with Israel and supporting the Palestinian cause.

Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestine Liberation Organization, with PM Indira Gandhi
Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestine Liberation Organization, with Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1980 (Alamy)

Poulomi Das

.

May 17, 2021

.

7 min

South Asian countries often balance trade relations and economic ties with Israel, while supporting a two-state solution and the Palestinian cause. South Asia’s diplomatic relationship with Palestine has historically been defined by the 1917 Balfour Declaration, in which Britain declared support for establishing a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.

Though expressing sympathy for the Jewish people, Indian nationalists in pre-partition India viewed the developments as another instance of British imperialism that pitted Jewish nationalists and Arabs against each other, and were resolutely pro-Palestine. Some South Asian countries have swayed from that position since.

Join today to read the full story.

or

Already a subscriber? Log in