India's Balancing Act: Medical Aid to Gaza amid Israel Solidarity

Table of Contents

India sends medical supplies to war-torn Gaza

India recently sent humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and disaster relief materials, to Gaza via Egypt
This follows PM of India’s call with Palestinian President Abbas, where he conveyed condolences for civilian deaths in Gaza hospital bombing
India’s aid to Palestine seen as balancing its solidarity with Israel during the conflict

India recently sent its first humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, including medical supplies and disaster relief materials, via Egypt. This aid shipment comes just days after Prime Minister Of India spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and conveyed condolences for the civilian deaths at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City during Israeli bombardment. India’s outreach to Abbas and India’s provision of urgent aid to Gaza is seen as a balancing act after the PM expressed solidarity with Israel during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

India had strongly condemned the Hamas rocket attacks on Israel but also reiterated its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. The humanitarian aid sent by India reflects its deep engagement and ties with both Israel and the Palestinian leadership. By providing urgent relief to Gaza while also backing Israel’s right to self-defense, India is performing a delicate balancing act in the region.

India-Israel-Palestine Relations overview

Key Takeaways

Sections	Details
Background	India’s consistent support for Palestine is an integral part of its foreign policy. Recognized PLO in 1974, one of the first to recognize State of Palestine in 1988. Opened office in Gaza in 1996, shifted to Ramallah in 2003. Backed Palestine at UN, UNESCO, and other multilateral forums.
Bilateral Relations	Indian PM’s historic visit to Palestine in 2018 marked the first by an Indian PM. President Abbas made multiple visits to India over the years. India provided over $141 million in economic aid to Palestine. Projects span healthcare, education, tech parks, women empowerment, etc. Capacity building is ensured through ITEC, ICCR scholarships to Palestinians.
Cultural Ties	Indian arts and cinema are popular in Palestine. Cultural activities are organized by the Indian mission to boost people-to-people ties.
Recent Humanitarian Aid	India dispatched medical supplies and disaster relief materials to Gaza. This aid aims to provide urgent relief to civilians facing shortages due to conflict. This move follows the Indian PM’s call with Abbas, indicating a conciliatory approach.
Balancing Relations	The aid to Palestine balances the Indian PM’s solidarity call to the Israel PM. Official statements have emphasized the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Palestine. These gestures reflect India’s close ties with both Israel and Arab nations, including Palestine.
India’s Diplomatic Tightrope	India is on a diplomatic tightrope between Israel and Palestine. While India staunchly backs Israel’s right to self-defense, it also supports the Palestinian cause, evident from the recent aid to Gaza. This delicate balancing act underscores India’s nuanced policy in West Asia.

Background: India-Palestine Relations

Evolution of Relationship

India’s consistent support for Palestinian cause integral part of its foreign policy
Became first non-Arab country to recognize PLO in 1974
One of first to recognize State of Palestine in 1988
Opened representative office in Gaza in 1996, shifted to Ramallah in 2003

India’s support for the Palestinian cause has been an integral part of its foreign policy. In 1974, India became the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This set the foundation of strong bilateral ties. Further in 1988, India was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, highlighting its long-standing pro-Palestine stance.

In 1996, India established its Representative Office in Gaza, which was later shifted to Ramallah in 2003, where it currently functions. This demonstrated India’s consistent political support for the Palestinian cause.

Support at Multilateral Fora

Co-sponsored and voted for Palestine’s right to self-determination at UNGA
Voted for Palestine’s full membership in UNESCO in 2011
Voted for non-member observer state status for Palestine at UN in 2012

At multilateral forums like the UN, India has regularly co-sponsored and voted in favor of resolutions supporting the Palestinian cause. In the 1970s, India co-sponsored and voted for UN General Assembly resolutions affirming the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.

In 2011, India voted to accept Palestine as a full member of UNESCO. Again in 2012, India voted in favor of granting Palestine non-member observer state status at the United Nations. This long-standing backing of Palestine at international forums is a marker of India’s principled foreign policy position.

Important Bilateral Visits and Political Interactions

PM of India’s historic visit to Palestine in 2018 – first by Indian PM
President Abbas visited India in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2017

There have been frequent high-level bilateral visits between India and Palestine over the years. In 2018, Prime Minister of India undertook a historic visit to Palestine, becoming the first Indian PM to do so. This underscored India’s commitment to ties with Palestine.

President Mahmoud Abbas has also made regular visits to India in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2017. His multiple trips highlight the close bilateral relations between the two countries.

Developmental Cooperation

India provided over $141 million in economic assistance over the years
Projects: Techno park, library at Al Azhar Univ, vocational training centers etc.
8 projects currently underway – hospital, printing press, women empowerment centers

India has provided extensive developmental assistance to Palestine over the decades. It has given over $141 million in economic aid to support nation-building efforts.

Some major projects funded by India include the Palestine-India Techno Park in Ramallah, construction of the Jawaharlal Nehru Library at Al Azhar University in Gaza city, and vocational training centers across Palestine.

Currently, India is undertaking 8 developmental projects covering areas like healthcare, education, empowerment of women etc. Key among them are a super-specialty hospital in Ramallah and the National Printing Press.

This aid underlines India’s commitment to Palestine’s development and welfare of its people. It has helped build socio-economic infrastructure in Palestine through a range of projects over the years.

Bilateral Trade

Conducted via Israel, so comprehensive data not available
Estimated at $67.7 million in 2020
Main exports – marble, rice, vaccines, cashews. Imports – olive oil, dates

Training and Capacity Building

ICCR scholarships to Palestinians for higher education in India
ITEC training courses for capacity building of Palestinians

India provides numerous scholarships and training programs to help build capacity in Palestine. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers 50 annual scholarships to Palestinian students to pursue higher education in India.

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program also provides around 150 training slots annually for Palestinians in specialized courses across sectors like IT, agriculture, health etc. Over 1200 Palestinians have benefitted from ITEC training to enhance their skills.

Culture Relations

Indian arts, films popular in Palestine
Cultural activities held in Palestine by Indian mission

There is close cultural connectivity between India and Palestine. Indian arts, dance, music, cuisine and especially Indian cinema are very popular among Palestinians.

To promote cultural exchanges, the Indian mission in Ramallah regularly organizes Indian film screenings, dance performances, photo exhibitions and other cultural activities. These events receive enthusiastic participation from locals and help strengthen people-to-people ties.

The cultural affinity between Indians and Palestinians forms a strong bridge between the two societies.

Latest News Summary

Flight departed from India with medical supplies and disaster relief materials
Aimed at providing urgent relief to civilians facing shortages due to conflict

Recently, India sent its first humanitarian aid shipment consisting of urgently needed medical supplies and disaster relief materials to Gaza via Egypt. An aircraft departed from India carrying around 6.5 tonnes of medicines and 32 tonnes of items like tents, water purification equipment etc. This was aimed at providing immediate relief to Gaza residents facing acute shortages of food, water, medicines and fuel due to the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

India’s Balancing Act

Call to Abbas balanced Indian PM’s call to Netanyahu in solidarity with Israel
Statement called for return to direct negotiations for two-state solution
Reflects India’s ties with Israel and Arab countries like Palestine

India’s outreach to Palestinian President Abbas and the humanitarian aid sent to Gaza came just days after Indian PM expressed solidarity with Israel during a call with Israeli PM Netanyahu. India also conveyed condolences to Abbas over civilian deaths in the Gaza hospital attack.

In its statements, India reiterated its support for resumption of direct peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine to reach a two-state solution. India also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation and civilian casualties.

This balancing act highlights India’s close ties with both Israel and the Palestinian leadership. India is seen walking a diplomatic tightrope by firmly backing Israel’s right to self-defense while supporting the Palestinian cause and providing humanitarian relief to Gaza.