India Strives to Balance Interests in the Middle East

In the wake of Hamas’s October attack on Israel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared support for Israel. Just four months later he conducted a successful tour of the Middle East. In the United Arab Emirates, he hosted an Indian diaspora rally and inaugurated Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple. Modi also traveled to Qatar where he pledged to expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries. 

These instances illustrate the complex balancing act India is attempting to pull off in the Middle East—and it looks like Modi is succeeding. Both Israel and Arab countries are enthusiastically seeking to deepen ties with India. Arab nations are home to huge India diaspora populations and offer India mutually beneficially energy deals. Yet, India still maintains its relationship with Israel which is one of India’s top arms suppliers.

As conflict deepens and spreads in the Middle East, it may become increasingly challenging for India to maintain its position. But for now, the Modi government has been able to expand its role in the Middle East while also balancing sensitive relations in the region. To read more about New Delhi’s balancing act in a chaotic Middle East, see the original piece in the Hindustan Times, available here.