INDIA AND WEST ASIA

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Context:

India Could Play a Meaningful Role in the Conflict in West Asia.

About West Asia Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Iran is a complicated issue with many players and deep historical roots. It goes back to the early 20th century when the land of Palestine was under British control. 

After World War I, Britain took over Palestine and was supposed to create a "home" for the Jewish people, following the Balfour Declaration in 1917. This idea led to tensions because the Arab population, which was much larger at the time, didn’t want to lose their land.

Creation of Israel and Early Wars

In 1948, when Britain left, the Jewish leaders declared Israel as a new country. This caused a war with the Arab nations, and many Palestinians were forced to leave their homes in what they call Al Nakba, or "The Catastrophe." Israel won that war and controlled much of the land. More conflicts followed, like the Six-Day War in 1967, where Israel gained even more territory, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Ongoing Issues

The main problems now are about who controls certain lands, like Gaza and the West Bank, and how to resolve issues like the return of Palestinian refugees. Israel and Hamas, a militant group that controls Gaza, have fought many wars, with the most recent starting in October 2023 when Hamas launched a major attack on Israel. This led to more airstrikes and fighting.

Iran’s Involvement

Iran's involvement in this conflict grew after its 1979 revolution. Before then, Iran and Israel were on good terms because they saw common enemies in other Arab nations. But after the revolution, Iran’s new Islamic government broke ties with Israel and started supporting groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Iran gives these groups weapons and money, seeing it as a way to stand up against Israel.

Israel views Iran as a big threat, especially because of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel has even carried out airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria and assassinated Iranian scientists to slow down Iran’s nuclear progress. Tensions between these two countries are at the heart of much of the conflict in the Middle East today.

Other Countries Involved

Many other countries are involved in this conflict, either supporting Israel or the Palestinians:

• United States: The U.S. is Israel’s biggest supporter, providing military aid.
• Iran: Iran backs Hamas and Hezbollah as a way to challenge Israel.
• Saudi Arabia: While it condemns some of Israel’s actions, it quietly cooperates with Israel due to shared security concerns.

Even countries like Qatar, which hosts Hamas leaders, are trying to play the role of mediator in this conflict. Jordan and Egypt, who have peace agreements with Israel, also try to balance their actions between helping Palestinians and maintaining peace with Israel.

Impact on the World

The Israel-Iran conflict doesn’t just stay in the Middle East. It can cause oil prices to go up because the region is a major producer of oil. This makes everything from transportation to goods more expensive globally. Countries like India, which imports a lot of oil, are directly affected when there’s a conflict.

Role of India In West Asia

India is in a unique position when it comes to the West Asia conflict, and its role could be important for peace in the region. West Asia is very important to India for several reasons, so far, India has stayed cautious, urging for peace and dialogue. But there is a possibility that India could do more.

Significance of West Asia for India

1. West Asia supplies India with around 80% of its oil. If tensions in the region escalate, it could cause oil prices to rise and affect India's economy.
2. About 90 lakh Indians live in West Asia, including countries like Israel, Iran, and the Gulf nations. A wider conflict would put them in danger.
3. India has built strong ties with both Israel and Iran. India buys defence equipment from Israel and gets oil from Iran. India also has important projects like the Chabahar port in Iran, which helps India access Central Asia.
4. India has been working on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a project that could strengthen trade routes and benefit all countries involved. Any war in the region could threaten this.

How India Responded to Current Conflict

The Prime Minister of India has spoken to leaders from both sides. He expressed concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for peace and stability. However, to play a more active role, India would need to use its influence on both Israel and Iran.

Challenges for India

1. India has to carefully manage its relationships with both Israel and Iran. Israel is a close partner in defence, and Iran is important for energy and strategic reasons. If the conflict escalates, India will find it hard to maintain this balance.
2. While India has communication channels with both sides, its influence is not as strong as countries like the US, which has been a traditional mediator in West Asia.
3. Countries like Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE also play key roles in the region, and they have their own interests. Any solution would need to take these different players into account.

Way Forward for India

1. India could offer to mediate between the parties, using its good relationships with both Israel and Iran. India has always supported peace and diplomacy, and it could push for talks that focus on long-term stability.
2. India can contribute by offering humanitarian aid to areas affected by the conflict, like Gaza. This would help the people and strengthen India's role as a responsible global player.
3. India could also coordinate with other countries that want peace in the region, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Working together could lead to a bigger impact on the peace process.

Conclusion

India can play a bigger role in West Asia, with its strong ties to both Israel and Iran, and its strategic interests in the region’s peace and stability, India can offer more. By promoting dialogue and offering aid, India has a chance to make a meaningful contribution to resolving the conflict.

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Source: 

Indian Express

India Today

BBC

Wikipedia