with Israel should not be at the cost of ties with the Arab world
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 24-hour visit to Jerusalem was a significant bilateral outreach to Israel, but a missed opportunity on Palestine, with complex consequences for India’s ties with West Asia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced the visit in December and confirmed the dates on Sunday, indicating Israel’s keen interest in hosting Mr. Modi. From Mr. Modi’s landing, to every engagement up to his departure, Mr. Netanyahu personally escorted Mr. Modi everywhere. After bilateral talks on Thursday, the two leaders agreed to upgrade ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership”, and signed a critical technologies partnership among more than 15 MoUs in AI, agriculture, culture and education. They also agreed to facilitate the employment of 50,000 Indian workers in Israel over the next five years. The engagement, and Mr. Netanyahu’s deep praise for Mr. Modi and the India relationship was even more intense than during Mr. Modi’s 2017 visit. This possibly accrues from the timing of the visit, as Israel faces growing isolation over high casualties in Gaza and Mr. Netanyahu’s West Bank settlement plans. In the past week, Israel’s West Bank proposals have been condemned by dozens of countries, which includes Germany, France, and the U.K. that have been measured so far. Mr. Netanyahu heads into an election later this year, which will be seen as a referendum on his record, in terms of alleged corruption in his government as well as for accountability for security lapses in 2023 and the civilian toll of Israel’s response. Mr. Modi’s visit would bolster him politically. In his speech at the Knesset, Mr. Modi referred only obliquely to Palestinian sovereignty, saying that the U.S.-led Gaza Peace Initiative, which commits to a two-state solution, “holds the promise of a just and durable peace... including by addressing the Palestine Issue”. The Prime Minister said that India shared the pain and grief of every life lost in the October 2023 terror attack by Hamas but made no mention of the high toll — more than 72,000 killed — in the strikes on Gaza by Israel since then.
It is hoped that Mr. Modi will clarify India’s position on the conflict, as he did after his last visit, by following it up with a visit to Palestine. His decision to travel amidst the threat of U.S. attacks on Iran carried the possible risk of taking sides in the event of a conflict. Beyond the bilateral, the outcomes of his visit will be judged globally by its impact on the larger West Asian neighbourhood. First, his announcement that India-Israel-UAE and India-Israel-UAE-U.S. “I2U2” would develop new momentum, as would the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), indicates New Delhi believes that regional initiatives are still viable despite the polarised atmosphere and recent deep fault-lines. Second, a decision to “stand with Israel, firmly... ” could come at the cost of India’s relations with other West Asian powers, which expect India to remain steadfast to its historically calibrated regional balance, and to principles of peace, morality and compassion in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
High-Value Vocabulary Words
1️. Outreach (Noun)
Meaning: An effort to build relationships or influence others.
Context in editorial:
“...a significant bilateral outreach to Israel.”
Example Sentence:
India’s diplomatic outreach to West Asia reflects its strategic balancing policy.
Antonym: Isolation, withdrawal
2️. Accrue (Verb)
Meaning: To accumulate or increase over time.
Context:
“This possibly accrues from the timing of the visit…”
Example:
The political advantage may accrue to Netanyahu ahead of elections.
Antonym: Diminish, decline
3️. Isolation (Noun)
Meaning: The state of being separated or cut off from others.
Context:
“Israel faces growing isolation…”
Example:
Sanctions often push countries into diplomatic isolation.
Antonym: Integration, inclusion
4️. Referendum (Noun)
Meaning: A direct vote by the people on a specific political issue.
Context:
“The election will be seen as a referendum on his record.”
Example:
The Brexit referendum changed the political trajectory of the U.K.
5️. Obliquely (Adverb)
Meaning: Indirectly; not in a straightforward way.
Context:
“Mr. Modi referred only obliquely to Palestinian sovereignty.”
Example:
The minister obliquely criticized the opposition without naming them.
Antonym: Directly, explicitly
6️. Bolster (Verb)
Meaning: To support, strengthen, or reinforce.
Context:
“Mr. Modi’s visit would bolster him politically.”
Example:
The new policy aims to bolster economic growth.
Antonym: Undermine, weaken
7️. Polarised (Adjective)
Meaning: Divided into sharply contrasting groups or opinions.
Context:
“...despite the polarised atmosphere…”
Example:
Social media has made political debates highly polarised.
Antonym: Unified, harmonious
8️. Steadfast (Adjective)
Meaning: Firm and unwavering in attitude or purpose.
Context:
“...remain steadfast to its historically calibrated regional balance.”
Example:
India has remained steadfast in supporting a two-state solution.
Antonym: Wavering, inconsistent
9️. Calibrated (Adjective)
Meaning: Carefully adjusted or balanced for a particular purpose.
Context:
“...historically calibrated regional balance.”
Example:
India follows a calibrated foreign policy approach in West Asia.
Antonym: Random, unplanned
10. Viable (Adjective)
Meaning: Capable of working successfully; feasible.
Context:
“...regional initiatives are still viable…”
Example:
IMEC remains viable despite regional tensions.
Antonym: Impractical, unworkable
RC MCQs – Editorial: Taking Sides
Q1.The central concern expressed in the editorial is that:
(a) India’s partnership with Israel will replace its ties with Gulf countries.
(b) India risks appearing diplomatically unbalanced in West Asia.
(c) The I2U2 grouping is strategically obsolete.
(d) Netanyahu’s government may collapse due to corruption allegations.
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The editorial does not oppose India–Israel ties but warns that such engagement must not undermine India’s traditionally calibrated balance with the Arab world and Palestine.
Q2. The author suggests that the timing of Mr. Modi’s visit may have politically benefited Mr. Netanyahu primarily because:
(a) Israel recently signed multiple economic agreements with Europe.
(b) Netanyahu required international legitimacy amid domestic and global criticism.
(c) The Gaza Peace Initiative was about to be finalized.
(d) India had withdrawn support from Palestine.
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The editorial mentions Israel’s growing isolation, condemnation of West Bank proposals, election pressures, corruption allegations, and accountability issues — all implying diplomatic reinforcement was useful for Netanyahu.
Q3. Which of the following best captures the editorial’s view on India’s reference to Palestinian sovereignty?
(a) It was strong and unambiguous.
(b) It was strategically silent and diplomatically necessary.
(c) It was indirect and insufficiently emphatic.
(d) It marked a formal abandonment of the two-state solution.
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The article states Mr. Modi referred “only obliquely” to Palestinian sovereignty and avoided mention of Gaza’s civilian toll, suggesting understated emphasis.
Q4. The mention of initiatives like I2U2 and IMEC primarily serves to:
(a) Highlight India’s attempt to replace China in the Middle East.
(b) Demonstrate that economic regionalism may persist despite geopolitical tensions.
(c) Indicate India’s withdrawal from multilateral diplomacy.
(d) Show that Gulf countries fully support Israel’s policies.
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The editorial argues India believes regional economic initiatives remain viable despite a polarised atmosphere and deep fault-lines.
Q5. The editorial’s tone towards India’s Israel engagement can best be described as:
(a) Enthusiastically supportive.
(b) Completely critical.
(c) Cautiously analytical and warning-oriented.
(d) Indifferent and descriptive.
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The article neither condemns nor fully endorses the visit. It warns against potential diplomatic costs and calls for balance — indicating a cautious, advisory tone.
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