Israel-Hamas War: India’s Delicate Balancing Walk

The conflict in Gaza put India in a tight spot. Historically, India was a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. But over the last decade, relations with Israel have deepened massively—defense, agriculture, technology. When the war broke out, India’s initial response was seen as pro-Israel. Then it pivoted to calling for a ceasefire and a two-state solution. This wasn’t flip-flopping; it was realpolitik. We can’t afford to alienate Israel, a key defense supplier. But we also can’t alienate the Arab world, where millions of Indians work and from where we get oil. Plus, there’s a domestic Muslim population to consider. The approach was to acknowledge Israel’s security concerns while condemning civilian casualties. It’s a line that satisfies no one completely, but it keeps India in the game as a potential mediator rather than a partisan actor.