Introduction
India has been backed by Israel in times of need as a true friend. India depends on West Asia for many of its requirements. The West Asia Policy of India is however now questioned. Because of the ongoing conflicts in the region. The Israel- Gaza war and Israel-Iran war has erupted the tensions India once was trying to ignore. Due to many transformations, West Asia is undergoing the strategic shift due to the Abraham Accords, power tension between Iran-Saudi, the Israel- Hamas conflict and India's increasing engagement in the Gulf (La Excellence, 2026) . Israel has helped India during wars in development by providing aid,technology, support and thus India tries to appreciate it at every point of time but India's interests in West Asia is not just limited to Israel but extends to more. New Delhi aims to recalibrate its De-hyphenated policy abd thus continuously engages with West Asia for Energy Security, Diaspora, maritime trade, connectivity projects, and most importantly regional peace and co-operation.
Evolution of India's De-hyphenation:-
After Independence, India made it clear that it supports Palestine not for any ulterior motive but purely for humanity and India has maintained that support by sending aids. India's Non-Alignment restricted it from supporting any nation with military power yet india supported through verbal and passive actions. Howsoever with evolving dynamics in global arena and majorly the breakdown of Soviet Union, trade with Arab states and energy dependence lead to the approach in 2017 (Shakeel maqbool, mumtaz shah, 2021). Israel shared agricultural technology, defence co-operation and intelligence sharing deepening the relationship after 1992. And in 2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi vocalize through actions hinting towards the de-hyphenation policy where it maintained its robust security ties with Israel while publicly supported and voted for Palestine (Drishti IAS, 2021).
Beyond Tel Aviv :-
India has marked its shift beyond Tel Aviv- a matter of talk questioning India's connection with its long time friend Israel despite helping in situations where stabilizing was important. But the fact and data shows that India is heavily reliant on West Asia.
? ENERGY NEEDS : -
India's crude oil imports accounts for 44-45% which comes from Middle East. Where Iraq holds (17-20%), Saudi Arabia holds (13-15%), UAE holds (10-11%), Oman holds (3-5%) and Kuwait holds (2-4%). India also imports LNG from Qatar, UAE, and Oman. The trade roughly exceeds $160-180 billion annually including Indian exports as well portraying how the benefits India gets from West Asia. India also plans to engage with Gulf for hydrogen partnerships in future
(CHSIA, 2026 )
? TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY :-
The IMEC- India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor and INSTC- International North South Transport Corridor are under development for making the trade easy and secure. The formation of it would easily advance the supply chain benefitting all.
? MARITIME SECURITY :-
The trade with Gulf relies on sea routes which makes it more crucial to enhance and maintain maritime security. Howsoever the rising tension because of chokepoints, piracy, houthi rebel attacks etc has alerted India. And therfore for securing the vital sea lanes of the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and of the Western Indian Ocean India regularly conducts and engages in Naval diplomacy as the vital chokepoints Strait of Hormuz , Bab-el-Mandeb strait are to be passed for trade (BESA, 2026). For accessing the freedom of navigation India tries to acquire operational access of Oman's strategic Port of Duqm, Seychelles and more. Also it participates in combined maritime task forces (Strat news global, 2026).
? INDIAN DIASPORA :-
The Gulf holds millions of Diaspora accounting India for the highest which supports their domestic economy through sending back their vital remittance. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain accounts for more than 66% of India's 1.34 crore Non-Resident Indians. The engagement with Gulf thus becomes more important because of the benefit it provides by boosting economy, helping in survival of many families, and for protecting Indians on their land. The Diaspora generates $40 billion of remittance annually (Drishti IAS, 2024).
? STRATEGIC COMPETITION :-
India realizes the competition present because of the growing Chinese influence, BRI initiatives, ports and infrastructure development by other nations. And thus it becomes vital for India to maintain ties with all regional actors for balanced communication and relation. The I2U2 Grouping of India , Israel , UAE and U.S has helped in maintaining regional balance and engagement. The IMEC Corridor also plays a role in securing India's other interest in Gulf alongside trade. The cultural influence and indian exports helps in securing a necessary role of India for Gulf region (NUS, 2024).
Challenges :-
India faces severe challenges while rebalacing its West Asia Policy. The Israel-Hamas conflict, Iran-Israel tension regarding nuclear power, US-Iran rivalry , the proxy wars have all accounted to shaken the stance of India. India believes in maintaining ties with all rather than just supporting one nation. The Chabahar Port, INSTC, Afghanistan connectivity has affected India's way towards Iran which also hinders its relation with other Gulf nations.
Strategic Shift :-
India is seen reflecting the practice of its Differentiated Multi-Alignment tactic. It actively maintain its defense and technological ties with Tel Aviv but also vigorously builds its economic and Diplomatic ties with Arab capitals - Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Tehran. From being a Passive observer India has shifted towards being a Regional shaper. Where India aims to be trusted by all the nations throughout (Ministry of External Affairs, 2018).
Conclusion:-
India's Rebalancing merely means engaging with all keeping in mind the national interest.It never aimed towards abandonment of Tel Aviv however tried to use its diplomatic ties to establish strategic autonomy. India's Middle East policy or West Asia Policy is not just seen through the lens of energy dependence but is believed to weave a web involving economic, political, and security dimensions concerning India's long term growth. From several decades, India has been viewed pursuing a calibrated multi-alignment startegy. Rather then locking itself into rigid blocs, regional groups, New Delhi has successfully constructed parallel relations with Iran, the Gulf monarchies, Israel and the U.S (ORF , 2026).
References:-
LA Excellence:-
India’s West Asia Policy Faces Its Sharpest Test https://share.google/S26GlmvKMsJA01lG9
Shakeel maqbool, mumtaz shah, 2021 :-
De-Hyphenating Israel From Palestine: India’s New Policy https://share.google/Vus8RAtRbuhFv7HGz
Drsihti IAS, 2021 :-
India’s De-Hyphenated Policy: Israel and Palestine https://share.google/ZBuduEQqfa822yAyn
Centre for Human Security and International Affairs 2026 :- https://share.google/UVI7ZUOTLTQ2VG7L
The Begin Sadat centre for Strategic Studies, 2026:-
Greece, Israel, and India: The Emerging Maritime Security Architecture of the IMEC https://share.google/zcaEFhorGQjYXF2CV
Start News Global, 2026 :-
India Doubles Down on Gulf Engagement https://share.google/tG2rAJq6VY0Th6F8A
Drishti IAS, 2024 :-
Securing India's Interests in the Middle East https://share.google/ZgddBGmqyGSAtNiuC
National University of Singapore, 2024:-
India-Middle East Relations – NUS – Middle East Institute https://share.google/5XxRAakjwQR8U0Z9c
Ministry of External Affairs, 2018:- https://share.google/nRzCaPV8TpUKnifIB
Observer Research Foundation, 2026 :-
https://www.orfonline.org/research/india-s-strategic-balancing-in-the-middle-east
The views expressed above belong to the author(s)