For decades, India’s approach to the Middle East was deeply influenced by anti-colonial sentiments, the Non-Aligned Movement, and close ties with Arab countries. Backing the Palestinian cause wasn’t just policy—it was a core part of how we saw ourselves on the global stage during the Cold War. India voted against the 1947 UN Partition Plan, formally recognized Israel in 1950 but waited until 1992 to establish full diplomatic relations. We were also the first non-Arab nation to recognize the PLO as the legitimate voice of the Palestinians.

Even today, India’s official stance firmly supports a two-state solution: a sovereign Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel, achieved through negotiation. Prime Minister Modi and others have reiterated this position time and again.

But something has been shifting, especially among people my age. While the older ideological lens hasn’t disappeared entirely, many young Indians today see Israel differently—not just through politics, but as a strategic partner, a hub of innovation, and a tough, resilient democracy navigating incredibly complex threats. This change didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the result of three decades of evolving ties,........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)