Thru’ the Desk of the Editor
The present war of Israel against Hamas, Hezbollah began on 7th October 2023, when Hamas–led terrorist groups launched an attack that breached Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack 1,139 Israeli and foreign nationals were killed and 251 were taken hostage and kidnapped into Gaza. In retaliation Israel invaded Gaza on 27th October 2023 and to date, their military campaign has killed over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Exchange of strikes between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have been occurring along Israel–Lebanon border and in Syria and Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 8th October 2023. It is currently largest escalation of Hezbollah–Israel conflict to have occurred since 2006 Lebanon War. Significant escalation in this conflict occurred in September 2024 with Hezbollah being targeted by Israeli air-strikes and targeted assassinations of Hezbollah commanders. More than 1,000 people have been killed in last two weeks of September in Lebanon and more continue to die as Israel keeps up its assault. It is very clear to any geo-political observer that Israel will not stop till it runs out of money or military munitions, or both. Israel is fighting for its very existence as a country and a negotiated peace with terrorists is not on their agenda. The Israeli Prime Minister has been very clear in his recent address to the United Nations. Only complete surrender of Hamas (and possibly Hezbollah) will bring this conflict to an end, and there might be a fractured peace.
The West Asian region is considered as an ‘extended neighbourhood’ in Indian Foreign Policy and strategy and assumes profound salience in India’s geopolitical and geo-economic pursuits in line with its global aspirations under its ‘Extended Neighbourhood Policy’. With dense diplomatic engagement and political outreach, West Asia has become India’s close orbit of strategic partnership and geopolitical interests. India has pursued and maintained an extremely prudent balance of all three regional powers, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran. The Abraham Accord has facilitated Indian interests to work with GCC countries and Israel with increasing diplomatic ease and convenience in its pursuit of 5 trillion economy vision. The I2U2 platform has been a prudent process for placing India in growing dynamics of integration of Arab investment, Israeli innovation and partnership in infrastructure and shared economic progress. The West Asia crisis underway therefore needs a prudent diplomatic navigation and use of India’s own growing diplomatic clout in the region and beyond to raise its credential of a global power. Indian responses and prudent stances during the course of the crisis shows profound maturity of a power in consonance with its national interests, regional peace and security as well as global stability.
The West Asian region is considered as an ‘extended neighbourhood’ in Indian Foreign Policy and strategy and assumes profound salience in India’s geopolitical and geo-economic pursuits in line with its global aspirations under its ‘Extended Neighbourhood Policy’. With dense diplomatic engagement and political outreach, West Asia has become India’s close orbit of strategic partnership and geopolitical interests. India has pursued and maintained an extremely prudent balance of all three regional powers, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran. The Abraham Accord has facilitated Indian interests to work with GCC countries and Israel with increasing diplomatic ease and convenience in its pursuit of 5 trillion economy vision. The I2U2 platform has been a prudent process for placing India in growing dynamics of integration of Arab investment, Israeli innovation and partnership in infrastructure and shared economic progress. The West Asia crisis underway therefore needs a prudent diplomatic navigation and use of India’s own growing diplomatic clout in the region and beyond to raise its credential of a global power. Indian responses and prudent stances during the course of the crisis shows profound maturity of a power in consonance with its national interests, regional peace and security as well as global stability.
The tweet of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in wake of Hamas attack on 7th October 2023 “Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour” demonstrated India’s non-violent tradition and immediate contextual response. With unfolding of events and evolving intensity of the crisis, Ministry of External Affairs has put it clearly that “Our policy in this regard has been long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders side by side at peace with Israel. There is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law. There is also global responsibility to fight menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. PM Modi had also talked to Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu to convey that “people of India stand with people of Israel in this difficult hour.” He also reiterated that India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism. India’s position has earned appreciation. The Israeli Ambassador to India, Noar Gilon said that India has a special position in the world and appreciated initial reaction and support from officials, minister, civil society and social media platforms. He further added that any help from India for release of hostage with Hamas is welcome. This marks an extraordinary capacity of India’s strategically balanced diplomatic stand and strength in ever-growing polarized world.
PM Modi also spoke to Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas and conveyed deep condolences over loss of civilian lives at Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. He expressed concern over deteriorating security situation in the region and reiterated India’s long-standing position on Israel-Palestine issue.
India pursues its interests with pragmatic political and diplomatic channels by engaging with all centres of powers and partners in the region. India is diplomatically engaged with all sides and stakeholders to reach diplomatic solution of the conflagration underway and for lasting peace and security in the region. India has condemned mounting civilian deaths in Gaza conflict underway and has reiterated need of dialogue and diplomacy in resolution of the conflict. India remained consistent with its commitment to Palestine and humanitarian aid has been delivered.
In an effort to prevent escalation of conflict PM Modi also talked to Iranian President and exchanged views on West Asia situation. Both emphasized need for preventing escalation and an early restoration of peace and stability. PM Modi also exchanged views on current situation with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. India’s principled position on Palestine was reiterated, discussed and both agreed to work together for peace, security and stability in the region.
India must leverage its diplomatic strength towards calming of present crisis and stable and peaceful West Asia in line with Extended Neighbourhood Policy. In ongoing conflict, India follows the path of diplomatic prudence to sustain its geopolitical interest. India has potential to play pivotal role in ending brutalities in Gaza. In a bold balancing diplomatic move, India voted in favour of UNGA Resolution demanding Israel’s withdrawal from all Golan to the line of 4th June 1967. The Resolution emphasized “that continued occupation of Syrian Golan and its de facto annexation constitute a stumbling block in the way of achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region”. The conflict has thrown difficult situation for India given its relations with Israel, Palestine, Iran and the Arab world. In recent era of rapid and complex geopolitical changes, India has proved its diplomatic ability to navigate prudently as key player in international stage pursuing its own national interests-based peace and mutual respect with power of sustained dialogue and diplomacy. The prudent maneuver of Indian diplomacy has established it as a powerful player at global stage and shaper of global perspective and processes. The strategic position of India enables it to engage with various power blocks and therefore places it as potential mediator to bring parties to peace and security. Indian leadership is in constant touch with leaders in the region and beyond to prevent escalation, for continued humanitarian aid and earliest restoration of peace and stability and a negotiated Two-State solution through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Houthi attack on container ships and oil cargoes has caused tremendous disruption of maritime trade between Asia and Europe and entails multifarious implications for global trade and economy. The syndrome is manifestation of Iran-Israel rivalry and Iran’s opposition to the West. It is bound to have implications for India - economically and strategically. As per US Central Command, Houthis carried out attack on MV Sai Baba in the Red Sea on 24th December 2023, while oil tanker, MV Chem Pluto was allegedly hit by a drone launched from Iran. The attacks on Indian ships and tankers has attracted a well assessed strategy and response. India maintains its strategic prudence by having its own investigation and assessment. The Indian Navy has stepped up its strategic vigilance operation in Arabian Sea. The presence of warships has been increased and air surveillance enhanced to ensure safe and secure maritime passage and activities. The Indian navy has deployed multiple-guided Missile Destroyers, INS Kochi, INS Kolkata and INS Mormugao as presence of deterrence. Offshore Patrol vessel Vikram and Coast Guard Dornier Maritime Surveillance aircraft have been pressed into action.
The United States has put in place a multinational security force under Combined Maritime Force focusing on security in Red Sea called ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ with goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity. Given the complex nature of geopolitical conflict in West Asia and precarious security balance, it is of utmost importance that India maintains its strategic neutrality and remains determined to ensure its interests in West Asia. India has prudently chosen not to join US-led ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ and beefed up its own naval assets and maritime security apparatus in the region.
The profound geopolitical imperatives of India in West Asia makes it an urgent strategic necessity to push for immediate peace and sustainable regional security to pursue its national interests in consonance with its economic vision and global aspirations. With every passing day, the crisis is turning the world more and more polarized. Given the contested stands and approaches of regional and global powers, peace and security of this strategic region requires application of geopolitical prudence by all. The cessation of dangerously spiraling conflict by declaring ceasefire is an immediate necessity. The actions of all-regional and global powers must be in line with emerging syndrome of multi-polar world. Any unilateral action without consideration of interests of others may push West Asia into an inextricable quagmire.
With geo-economic implications of ongoing Ukraine war, the world is not capable to bear burden of another war. Escalation will be disaster for entire world. Ceasefire and multilateral and broad-based peace conference is urgent need for a sustainable solution, regional peace and global security. The crisis must be viewed with rise of competitor powers in West Asia. With increasing assertion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey and growing engagement of global powers like China, Russia and India one thing is clear that not only Gaza but West Asia and the world will not be same again. An expected geopolitical future is multipolar West Asia and greater multipolar world. India needs constant and agile political and diplomatic engagement towards de-escalation and sustainable and comprehensive peace in the region. India must leverage its influence to be a credible power and partner in the region in emerging multipolar global geopolitical order.
Articles in this edition of the Journal examine various dimensions of Diplomacy and Security related issues. All authors have presented their views on topics ranging from drone warfare to crypto-laundering, Chabbar port development to securing India’s trade challenges, with well-planned research on the topics with deep thought process. Their views will surely help in instilling the subjects and topics under discussion in the minds of the readers.
