India's shifting position in West Asia: From non-alignment to alignment

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*

The current Indian government's foreign policy orientation raises questions about continuity and change in the country's international positioning. Under the present administration, India has increasingly aligned itself with the United States, Israel, and Western European nations through strategic partnerships and trade agreements, marking a departure from previous foreign policy approaches.

This alignment invites examination of historical patterns within Hindutva politics. During the Indian independence movement, organizations such as the Hindu Mahasabha and the RSS maintained distance from anti-colonial struggles. Figures including K. B. Hedgewar and V. D. Savarkar did not participate in the freedom movement, with Savarkar's mercy petitions to British authorities being a matter of historical record. The RSS, as the ideological parent organization of the BJP, drew upon various intellectual sources in its formation, including European nationalist movements and colonial historiography that constructed particular narratives of Indian history.

The government's current international relationships show a shift away from traditional partnerships with countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. India's historical foreign policy, characterized by non-alignment and moral suasion, has given way to closer ties with established powers. Recent events in West Asia, including actions against Iranian leadership, have drawn differing responses from New Delhi compared to its previous positions. The Prime Minister's visit to Israel has been interpreted by some as signaling support for Israeli positions, a stance that may not fully reflect the diversity of Indian public opinion on West Asian questions.

Historical analysis suggests that Hindutva politics has consistently adapted its international positioning based on prevailing power structures. From engagement with British colonialism to current alignments with American and Israeli policy, this adaptability raises questions about the relationship between ideological positions and foreign policy choices. The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or "world as one family," finds varied expression in actual diplomatic practice.

Iran's historical support for India on various international platforms stands in contrast to India's muted response to recent events involving Iranian leadership and civilian casualties. The government's silence on these matters represents a departure from past diplomatic practice.

The intellectual genealogy of Hindutva politics incorporates elements from European colonial thought, which continues to influence its world-view and international engagements. This ideological inheritance shapes contemporary policy choices, including those related to West Asia.

India's ability to emerge as a significant global power may depend on maintaining independent foreign policy positions rather than aligning too closely with any particular bloc. Short-term diplomatic gains from alignment with powerful nations may need to be weighed against long-term strategic autonomy and the moral authority that comes from independent positioning.

The current trajectory of Indian foreign policy represents a continuation of certain historical patterns within Hindutva politics. Those concerned with peace and human values may find reason to examine these patterns and their implications for India's role in the world.

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*Academic based in UK

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