Why in News?
- On 16 September 2025, India condemned Israel’s bombing in Doha (Qatar) that targeted Hamas leaders, calling it a “violation of sovereignty” and a threat to “regional and global peace, stability, and security”.
- Statement was delivered by India’s Ambassador to the UN Mission in Geneva at the UN Human Rights Council.
- This unusually strong reaction raised questions on whether India’s West Asia policy is shifting, especially given its silence on Gaza and muted positions in past Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, etc.
Relevance:
- GS II (IR): India’s West Asia policy, balancing Israel–Arab ties, UN stance on sovereignty/territorial integrity.
- GS III (Energy Security): Qatar as LNG supplier, implications for India’s energy imports.
Basics
- The Incident (Sept 9, 2025): Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) bombed a house in Doha where Hamas leaders were meeting on a US ceasefire proposal.
- Casualties: 5 killed.
- Israel justified the strike by accusing Qatar of “harbouring and funding” Hamas operatives.
- India’s Position:
- Expressed “deep concern” over attacks in Doha.
- Condemned violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, invoked UN Charter and international law.
- Called for respect of territorial integrity and avoidance of escalation.
- Contrast: In previous Israeli strikes (Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen), India’s reaction was muted or ambivalent.
Overview
Why India Criticised the Doha Strike?
- Qatar’s importance:
- Major supplier of LNG to India (long-term contracts crucial for energy security).
- Hosts a large Indian diaspora (8 lakh+ workers, key source of remittances).
- Strong personal ties between PM Modi and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
- Regional Stability: Qatar central in Gulf politics, hosts US military bases, and mediates in Middle East crises.
- Saudi–Pakistan Pact Factor (Sept 17, 2025): India wanted to reassure Gulf partners of solidarity, amidst growing Pakistan–Saudi military closeness.
Shift from Past Reactions
- Iran (2024–25): India oscillated — cautious concern after Israeli/US strikes on nuclear facilities, later flip-flopping in SCO statements.
- Lebanon (2024): Indian Army Chief even praised Israeli operations against Hezbollah.
- Syria & Yemen: Largely muted or generic appeals for dialogue.
- Qatar (2025): First time India invoked sovereignty and territorial integrity in such strong terms against Israeli actions.
Strategic Drivers Behind India’s Position
- Transactional Diplomacy: India calibrates reactions based on bilateral stakes (energy, diaspora, investments).
- Energy Security: Qatar among top LNG suppliers → vital for India’s energy transition and import stability.
- Diaspora Factor: Gulf countries house millions of Indians → New Delhi sensitive to local perceptions.
- Balancing Israel & Arabs: While Israel is a key defence partner, India cannot alienate Gulf states (energy + diaspora + remittances + trade).
- Geopolitical Signal:
- Israel’s strike on Qatar alarmed Gulf monarchies → India aligned with their concerns.
- Undermines US credibility as Gulf security guarantor, opening a strategic vacuum that India must navigate.
Regional Implications
- For Gulf Countries: Fear of being next targets → push for a joint defence mechanism (Arab League + OIC + GCC emergency meetings).
- For Israel: Shows prioritisation of military operations over regional normalisation efforts (Abraham Accords at risk).
- For US: Weakening credibility as regional stabiliser → GCC exploring self-reliance or alternative security partners.
- For India: Must reassess its West Asia policy balance between strategic partnership with Israel and deep interdependence with Gulf states.
Implications for India’s West Asia Policy
- Challenges:
- Silence on Gaza (65,000+ killed, 20,000+ children) is straining ties with Arab states.
- Need to avoid perception of bias towards Israel.
- Opportunities:
- Reinforce trust with Gulf partners (Qatar, Saudi, UAE).
- Use crisis to push strategic dialogue on energy + security with GCC.
- Strengthen image as a neutral actor supporting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace.
Key Takeaways
- India condemned Israel’s Doha bombing as a “violation of sovereignty”.
- Unlike muted past responses, this strong stance reflects Qatar’s importance for energy, diaspora, and bilateral ties, not a generic shift in principle.
- Israel’s attack on Qatar signals deeper geopolitical turbulence in West Asia, reducing US credibility as a security guarantor.
- India must carefully balance ties with Israel and Arab states, especially amid the new Saudi–Pakistan defence pact and regional instability.
