Context
For improved security and political relations, India ought to back the moderate Palestinian Authority.

India's Diverging Views of the Middle East  
·         Early Indian Preference for Secular Nationalists: Modern, secular Middle Eastern leaders were first preferred by independent India over conservative and religious groups.
·         Beyond Secular vs. Conservative Complexities: The region's complex dynamics were not fully captured by the dichotomy that reduced political systems to secular republics and conservative monarchs.
·         Dynamics Are Changed by the Rise of Religious Extremism: Since the late 1970s, there has been an increase in violent religious extremism that has challenged both conservative and secular administrations.

India's Changing Involvement in the Middle East  
·         India's Closer Ties with Israel and Arab Moderates: India has bolstered its ties with Israel and Arab moderates since they have similar goals in thwarting extremism and promoting economic growth and regional security.
·         Recent Violence in Gaza Endangers Progress: India's achievements in the Middle East are threatened by the recent violence in Gaza and Southern Israel.
·         Preventing Crisis from Splitting Emerging Coalition: Indian policy has to make an effort to keep the current crisis from splintering the moderate Arab and Israeli coalition.

Implications for Middle East Indian Policy  
·         Promoting Greater Moderation in Israel: India ought to urge Israel to respond to attacks with care and warn against launching an expensive and ineffective invasion of Gaza.
·         Bolstering the Palestinian Authority: Maintaining regional stability requires backing the moderate Palestinian Authority in its fight against Hamas.
·         Acknowledging Iran and Turkey's Regional Ambitions: India needs to take note of Iran and Turkey's geopolitical goals as significant non-Arab nations in the Middle East.

LTX Mains Question: 
Q. "Given the current need to navigate complex regional dynamics, analyze India's evolving approach towards the Middle East."