An overly simplistic view glosses over important facts: that, for example, Israel was one of only two West Asian countries to condemn the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament. (Interestingly, the other was Syria, with which Israel is still technically at war.) Then again, regardless of its special relationship with Israel, India continues to pursue diplomatic relations with Iran; and, when the expected resolutions about Palestine come up at the UN, India votes in sympathy for their cause repeatedly, despite repeated concerns expressed bilaterally by Israel — just as the OIC repeatedly votes against the Indian stance when the equally routine resolutions on Kashmir come up at their meetings. Further, although the Left credits L.K. Advani for close ties with Tel Aviv, it was actually Rajiv Gandhi and then Narasimha Rao who first normalised relations with Israel after Moshe Dayan’s secret 1978 mission failed.

This is not to claim that India no longer has a duty to the Palestinian people; but when foreign policy is central to India’s national interests, it cannot afford to be exclusively idealistic. Pakistan realises this. Witness President Pervez Musharraf’s well-received address to the American Jewish Congress or the meeting of Pakistani and Israeli foreign ministers in Turkey in September 2005. Indeed, Turkey, predominantly Muslim and ruled by moderate Islamists, seems to maintain good relations with Arabs and Israelis alike. Its military holds joint military exercises with the Israel Defence Force and its diplomats are currently facilitating indirect negotiations between Tel Aviv and Damascus.

... contd.