Description

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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU

Context

India condemned Israel’s airstrike on a residential area in Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leaders, as a violation of sovereignty.

Read all about: Israel's Airstrike In Doha, Qatar

Why Did India Condemn Israel’s Doha Strike?

Violation of Sovereignty

The strike targeted a sovereign nation's territory without consent, breaching international law and the UN Charter.

India’s Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) stated that the action "threatens peace, stability, and security" regionally and globally, urging de-escalation.

Impact on Mediation

Qatar hosts Hamas negotiators and mediates Gaza ceasefires. The attack disrupted U.S.-backed talks, endangering hostage releases and peace efforts—India emphasized protecting diplomatic channels.

National Interests

Qatar supplies over 42% of India’s LNG; instability threatens energy security and 8,00,000+ Indian diaspora.

How Does India’s Reaction Differ from Its Past Responses?

Muted on Other Strikes

For Israeli attacks in Iran (e.g., June 2025 nuclear strikes), Syria (embassy bombing, April 2025), and Lebanon (pager blasts, September 2024), India expressed "concern" but avoided condemnation, focusing on dialogue.

Inconsistent on Iran

June 2025 strikes drew "concern"; India disassociated from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) condemnation but later signed a joint declaration condemning them.

Shift in Tone

Doha statement "unequivocally condemns" sovereignty violation—stronger than "deep concern" for others—reflecting transactional diplomacy prioritizing Gulf ties over broader principles.

What Does This Mean for India’s West Asia Policy?

Rebalancing Act: Shift from Israel tilt to Gulf prioritization; Doha condemnation signals limits to Israel support.

Multi-Alignment: Maintains Israel ties (defense) while boosting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (energy, IMEEC; India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, I2U2; India, Israel, United States and UAE).

Global South Credibility: Strong Israel ties (defense/tech) vs Gulf energy/diaspora; Gaza silence erodes Arab goodwill; Doha stand restores balance, enhances India's role in UN.

Broader Implications: Potential strain with Israel; boosts GCC FTAs/multilateralism (Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation).

Read all about: India and West Asia Relations l India's Ties with Western Nations

Challenges for India

Balancing Israel vs Gulf: Defense/tech vs energy/diaspora.

Geopolitical Shifts: U.S. retreat and Arab unity complicate neutrality.

Domestic Politics: Opposition questions Gaza silence.

Economic Risks: Instability threatens $100B India–UAE trade.

Way Forward

Diplomatic Outreach: Bilateral talks with Israel and Qatar; multilateral role at UN.

Energy Security: Diversify LNG sources; build contingencies.

Diaspora Safety: Evacuation protocols, embassy readiness.

Balanced Messaging: Uphold sovereignty principle consistently.

Strengthen Multilateralism: Use GCC/Arab League platforms to build credibility.

Source: THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Analyze the 'de-hyphenation' policy in India's West Asia foreign policy. 150 words

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

India condemned the strike primarily due to its strong bilateral ties with Qatar, concerns for the large Indian diaspora in the country, and the potential threat to its energy security, as Qatar is a major LNG supplier.

It is a significant development, marking a departure from India's more cautious statements on previous Israeli military actions. However, experts see it as a pragmatic move to protect national interests rather than a fundamental change in its core foreign policy principles.

While India has condemned the strike, it is unlikely to cause a major rupture in its strong and multifaceted relationship with Israel, which is built on defense, technology, and intelligence cooperation.