Ajay Chaudhary
Closer Ties with Israel and the Risk to Its Relationship with Iran and the Muslim World
In recent years, India has made a notable and somewhat controversial pivot in its foreign policy, notably deepening defense ties with Israel. This strategic shift raises serious concerns, particularly regarding India’s long-standing relationships with Iran and the broader Muslim world. India, which historically sought to balance its interests in the Middle East with its growing ties to Israel, now faces a diplomatic dilemma. As its partnership with Israel strengthens, India risks alienating key regional players, especially Iran, and undermining its position as a neutral actor in global diplomacy.
The Growing Indo-Israeli Defense Partnership: Adani-Elbit Ventures and the Shift in Regional Power Dynamics
The Indo-Israeli defense relationship has evolved dramatically over the past two decades. One of the clearest symbols of this shift is the joint venture between Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems and India’s Adani Group, focused on the production of Hermes drones. These drones have become crucial to Israel’s military strategy, particularly in its ongoing confrontation with Iran. According to Israeli news outlet Ynetnews, the Hermes drones have allowed the Israeli Air Force to carry out airstrikes with unprecedented precision, even enabling Israel to carry out “up to two or three strikes a day targeting Tehran.”
This capability represents a seismic shift in regional military dynamics. The drones have not only helped Israel neutralize critical Iranian air defenses but also facilitated daily airstrikes on Tehran—an operation that could drastically alter the balance of power between the two nations. For Israel, the drones have proved to be game-changers, offering advanced military technology that enhances their offensive capabilities. However, this military partnership also raises concerns for India’s diplomatic standing, particularly as it becomes more integrated into Israel’s defense infrastructure.
While India has long been a consumer of Israeli military technology, it is now an active participant in the production of such weapons, with domestic manufacturing of Hermes drones. This partnership places India in a unique position: it is now directly contributing to Israel’s military operations, including those targeting Iranian assets. Given India’s historical role as a non-aligned power, this marked departure from neutrality is both surprising and troubling. By aligning itself so closely with Israel’s military operations, India risks entangling itself in the regional conflicts that have long been Israel’s concern, particularly those involving Iran.
India’s Silent Stance: A Disconcerting Diplomatic Shift
India’s growing relationship with Israel has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. A recent incident underscored this shift when India, for the first time, refrained from supporting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) condemnation of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military installations. While other SCO members—such as China and Russia—condemned Israel’s actions, India chose to remain silent. This decision, while diplomatically convenient in the short term, signals a deeper shift in India’s foreign policy approach, one that increasingly aligns with Israeli interests, particularly those against Iran.
India’s silence on this matter is not just a neutral position; it is a clear signal that India is prioritizing its growing defense ties with Israel over its long-standing relationship with Iran. This stance challenges the diplomatic principles that India has long championed, including its efforts to maintain a balanced relationship with both Israel and Iran. In the past, India could maintain its position as a neutral actor, but as its defense ties with Israel deepen, it faces the uncomfortable reality of having to choose sides in a region that has long been a focal point of its foreign policy.
India’s quiet endorsement of Israel’s actions against Iran demonstrates a significant departure from its historical non-alignment. The decision to abandon its traditional diplomatic neutrality in favor of closer ties with Israel should raise concerns about the country’s evolving role in the Middle East and its broader strategic interests. While such alignment with Israel may seem beneficial in the short term, particularly in terms of access to advanced military technology, it risks compromising India’s ability to play a constructive and impartial role in the region.
The Iranian Dilemma: Chabahar Port and the Strait of Hormuz
India’s relationship with Iran has historically been shaped by mutual economic interests, most notably in energy security and regional connectivity. Despite U.S. sanctions that have significantly curtailed India’s oil imports from Iran, the strategic importance of Iran remains clear. India has long relied on Iran for its access to Central Asia, particularly through the development of the Chabahar Port, which allows India to bypass Pakistan and secure vital trade routes to Afghanistan and beyond. Chabahar has become a cornerstone of India’s connectivity strategy in the region, and its importance cannot be overstated.
Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran controls, remains a crucial artery for global energy trade. India, as a major energy importer, depends on the free flow of oil through this strait for its energy security. Any disruption in the security of this passage could have severe consequences for India’s energy supplies. As such, India’s strategic interests in Iran are not limited to the economic sphere but are deeply tied to its broader regional security strategy.
However, India’s increasing military collaboration with Israel, particularly its involvement in the production of weapons used in Israeli operations against Iranian assets, presents a clear risk to these vital interests. Iran may perceive India’s growing ties with Israel as a betrayal, undermining decades of partnership built on mutual interests. Moreover, any further deterioration in India-Iran relations could jeopardize India’s investments in Chabahar and its ability to maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic investments India has made in Iran are too significant to ignore. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, India’s growing alignment with Israel could push Iran to reassess its relationship with India, potentially undermining India’s access to Central Asia and disrupting its energy security. The question, therefore, is whether India’s pursuit of closer ties with Israel is worth the risk of alienating Iran—a country with which India has substantial strategic and economic interests.
Risks to India’s Role in the Muslim World
India’s growing proximity to Israel also has broader implications for its standing in the Muslim world. India has long sought to be seen as a leader of the Global South, championing the causes of developing countries, many of which are Muslim-majority nations. Over the years, India has developed strong ties with Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, who are not only key economic partners but also play important roles in regional and global politics.
However, these Gulf states have long been wary of Israel’s military actions and policies, particularly with regard to Palestine. India’s increasingly close ties with Israel could undermine its relationships with these Muslim-majority nations, especially if they perceive India’s stance as tacit support for Israel’s actions in the Middle East. This risk is particularly acute as India’s strategic relationship with Israel continues to deepen, potentially souring its diplomatic relations with key Arab partners who may view India’s actions as an endorsement of Israeli policies in the region.
Pakistan, India’s traditional rival, is likely to capitalize on India’s growing alignment with Israel, using it as a means to galvanize anti-India sentiment in the Muslim world. This could further isolate India in a region where it has long sought to maintain a neutral and constructive role. The risk, therefore, is that India could find itself at the center of a broader regional divide, caught between its growing defense ties with Israel and its aspirations to maintain strong relationships with key Muslim-majority countries.
A Dangerous Path Forward
India’s growing alignment with Israel presents a fundamental shift in its foreign policy, one that has far-reaching implications for its regional and global standing. While the defense partnership with Israel offers clear advantages, particularly in terms of military technology, it also comes with significant diplomatic and strategic risks. India risks alienating Iran, a key regional partner, and jeopardizing its investments in vital infrastructure such as Chabahar and its energy security in the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, India’s increasingly close ties with Israel could complicate its relationships with Muslim-majority countries, undermining its role as a leader of the Global South.
As India continues to deepen its relationship with Israel, it must critically assess the long-term consequences of this strategic shift. The benefits of advanced military technology and closer security cooperation must be weighed against the risks of diplomatic isolation and the potential loss of vital regional partnerships. The path forward is fraught with uncertainty, and India’s ability to navigate this new geopolitical reality will determine its future as a global power.
