Bharat pushes for peace and stability in West Asia as conflict spread beyond Israel, Hamas to Iran, Yemen & Lebanon after elimination of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah.
West Asia is on the boil. Arc of conflict that was hitherto limited to Hamas and Israel has now expanded sending shivers across global markets, security establishments and deep state actors.
Israel and her Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seem determined to take on their rivals in full blown conflict. The multi-pronged war strategy of Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has flummoxed Shia and Sunni organizations across Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and other territories.
‘Axis of Resistance’, brainchild of Iran, suffered serious setback after Hezbollah supreme commander and General Secretary Hassan Nasrallah, half a dozen top commander of this private militia were assassinated by Israel last week.
It’s not just top leadership and Shura Council that got wiped out. Weapon depots and related infrastructure were pulled down thereby dealing body blow to Hezbollah. Simultaneous, psychological warfare launched by Israel was unprecedented after Hezbollah, Houthi militants and other lesser known groups supported Hamaz terrorists in their fight against IDF.
After Islamic Resistance Movement popularly known as Hamas, a largely a Sunni terrorist organization attacked Israel on October 7 last year, other militia in West Asia have joined forces to take on Israel.
This is the fifth such bloody, violence ridden conflict since 2008 between Hamas and Israeli forces after Yom Kippur War in 1973. Single handed, Israel has taken on both Sunni and Shia militant groups on all three fronts, air, waters and land conflicts.
Most security analysts averred that it’s a proxy war between Hamas and Israel while the big boys were lending huge support to both sides. China has sided with Hamas. Russia has lent support to Hamas as against Israel. Though Moscow condemned the ‘terror’ act of Hamas, President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has refused to designate Hamas as a ‘terrorist’ organization.
If Chatham House analysis was to go by, Chinese approach has been distinctly different. It went a step ahead and attempted at brokering a ‘peace deal’ between competing Palestinian groups, Farah and Hamas. And, recognition of Hamas, gave big impetus to this militant organization on Gaza strip and West Bank.
On the contrary, both United States and major European powers have solidly backed Israel in its conflict with Hamas and its allies. US under either Democrats or Republicans, over the years have been with Israel since 1960s after having recognized it as a sovereign state. In the expanding conflict, as per reports, US have provided support to Israel on multiple fronts.
On the parallel, US launched its own campaign against Islamic State and ISIS to keep its terrorists at bay and prevent them from joining ranks with Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis. Major European powers have backed Jews in their fight against Muslim militants and terror groups.
In the melee, Bharat has taken a very nuanced, strategically independent, balanced position. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected all shades and forms of terror irrespective of the region or religion that they profess. Bharat was among the first few countries to condemn Hamas mindless invasion into Israel in last October.
Also, Bharat – Israeli relations are strategic and multi-faceted across areas especially in arms, ammunition and technology transfers apart from non-strategic areas like agriculture, trade, investment and public digital infrastructure.
On the other hand, Bharat has not designated Hamas as a ‘terrorist’ organization. But, New Delhi has not supported its ‘inhuman, violent, barbaric and faith-driven tactics’ that escalated after its initial hit on Israel in October 2023.
Bharat mooted ‘peace and stability’ in West Asia and rejected terror in all forms, hues and shades. Bharat has been one of few top countries that provided succour with food and medicines to conflict ravaged Palestinians. Prime Minister Modi has emerged a peacenik and plans to mediate between parties and secure a lasting solution to vexed conflict. Condemning terror, New Delhi has demanded release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas as bargaining chip.
Bharat has big stakes in West Asia that account for over 70 per cent of its crude oil imports which is easily US $ 100 billion per annum. Escalation of conflict would only disrupt crude supplies leading to fluctuations in prices of both spot and deferred supplies. Oil imports are one big factor in Bharat’s economic policy making while imported crude fuels her huge economic expansion.
Secondly, Iran has been a big Bharat ally in the region with trade and investment relations going beyond the normal. Bharat has been a partner in Tehran’s development of Chabahar port that would open up fresh opportunities in Central Asian republics.
Thirdly, with over 210 million muslims, Bharat has a big balancing act to play out as she has been home to both Shias and Sunnis. Also, given socio-economic progression of Muslim minorities, it would like both sides to have structured discussions for ensuring lasting peace.
Fourthly, millions of Indian diaspora have made West Asia their home for decades. Ensuring their security, wellbeing, protecting their businesses and jobs apart from Indian investments would be primacy.
Fifthly, Bharat has earned its stars by keeping away from lobbies and coteries in this conflict. It has all the wherewithal to play a significant role in the region along with other key stakeholders.
Sixthly, Prime Minister Modi has had meetings with both Israel’s Netanyahu and Palestine President Mohamoud Abbas last fortnight on the sidelines of Quad meetings in US. His relationships with these two leaders along with world powers should positively be leveraged to bring about peace in West Asia.
K.A.Badarinath
(Author is Director and Chief Executive at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi)
About The Author
