India recently issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s bombing in Doha, labeling it a “violation of sovereignty.” This marks a notable departure from New Delhi’s typically reserved stance on previous Israeli military actions in other nations, sparking speculation about a potential shift in its broader foreign policy concerning the West Asia crisis. While the powerful language undoubtedly reflects growing international concern over the escalating civilian casualties in the Gaza conflict, analysts suggest India’s assertive intervention is more closely linked to its crucial bilateral relationship with Qatar and its broader engagement with the Gulf region. This diplomatic move gains added significance in light of India’s apprehensions regarding the mutual defense agreement recently signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Riyadh.
Why did India criticize the Doha strike?
On September 16, India officially denounced the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) air strike on September 9, which targeted a residence in Doha where Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting to discuss the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal. India characterized these actions as a threat to “peace, stability and security” across the region and globally. While the strike resulted in five fatalities, no senior Hamas leaders were among the deceased. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, asserting its justification due to Qatar allegedly “harbouring and funding” Hamas operatives.
During a session at the UN Human Rights Council, India’s Ambassador to the UN Mission in Geneva, Arindam Bagchi, stated, “India is deeply concerned about the recent attacks in Doha and their impact on the security situation in the region. We unequivocally condemn the violation of the sovereignty of Qatar,” further emphasizing adherence to the UN Charter and international law.
Mr. Bagchi reiterated, “Any escalation must be avoided, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States must be upheld.” This statement reinforced earlier pronouncements by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and followed a direct conversation on September 10 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where PM Modi conveyed “solidarity with the Qatari people.”
How does this differ from India’s past reactions?
These recent statements from India stand in sharp contrast to New Delhi’s previous responses to Israeli military actions in other regional nations, such as Lebanon, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, and Iran.
For instance, when Israel bombed the Iranian Embassy in Damascus last April, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed “concern,” a similar reaction to an Israeli attack on a UN Peacekeeping post in southern Lebanon. However, India largely maintained silence on other Israeli operations elsewhere. Notably, after Israeli intelligence operatives detonated hundreds of pager bombs against Hezbollah in Beirut in September 2024, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi praised the operation as a “masterstroke.” India’s stance on Iran, a nation with significant strategic ties and shared investments like the Chabahar port, has been particularly perplexing. In June, following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, India initially expressed “concern” and advocated for dialogue. Yet, New Delhi later distanced itself from a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) statement condemning those very strikes. In a puzzling reversal, India subsequently endorsed the SCO’s joint declaration on September 1, which explicitly “condemned” Israel and the U.S. for the June attacks.
Why is Qatar treated differently?
Navdeep Suri, a former Ambassador to the UAE and Egypt, emphasized that India’s relationships with other nations in the region are not comparable to its robust ties with Qatar, which hosts a significant Indian diaspora and shares high-level personal rapport between Prime Minister Modi and the Qatari Emir. Suri explained that in today’s era of “transactionalism,” such diplomatic responses are often less about universal values or principles and more about the specific bilateral relationship with each country, including Israel.
The MEA chose not to comment on inquiries regarding the Modi government’s seemingly contradictory positions. Experts, however, attribute these varied statements to a combination of geopolitical, regional, and bilateral factors. Talmiz Ahmad, a former Ambassador and author of West Asia at War, suggested that India’s reaction to the Qatar attack wasn’t driven by a broader strategic objective but rather by Qatar’s critical role as a major gas supplier to India.
Ahmad further highlighted that Israel’s strike on Qatar served as a clear warning to other Gulf nations, many of which host U.S. military bases and rely on American security guarantees. This incident, he noted, signals a “fundamental geopolitical shift in the region” that India needs to carefully consider. Speaking at an India-America Friendship Association seminar, Mr. Ahmad elaborated, “Israel has sent a message that every Arab and Gulf country is a potential target, putting them all on notice. This demonstrates Israel has deprioritized the normalization process, indicating that ties with other West Asian countries are secondary to its military operations. Furthermore, it reveals that the U.S. may no longer be perceived as a reliable security guarantor for these GCC nations.”
The profound concern among Gulf countries was evident at an emergency joint session of the Arab League and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference held in Doha this week. The session collectively condemned Israel’s actions, and in response, the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged to establish a “joint defence mechanism” to counter future threats.
What does this mean for India’s broader West Asia policy?
Furthermore, analysts point out that India’s relative silence on the ongoing crisis in Gaza is putting a strain on its relationships with the Arab world. The conflict has tragically resulted in over 65,000 deaths, including at least 20,000 children, due to Israel’s continuous bombardment, including the recent offensive on Gaza City. In a rare public statement on August 27, the MEA described the killing of journalists and civilians by the IDF as “shocking and deeply regrettable.” On September 12, India also cast a vote in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution endorsing a two-state solution for Palestine. These actions suggest that, despite its strong and consistent relationship with Israel, the Modi government recognizes the necessity of considering wider regional dynamics and maintaining balanced diplomatic engagements across West Asia.