Considering How India’s Middle East Policy Has Changed and Remained Consistent Since 2019 Under Modi Government

Abstract

The review of India’s Middle East strategy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has garnered attention. Modi’s outreach to Israel, including a historic 2017 visit, departs from India’s traditional pro-Arab and pro-Palestine stance. His subsequent visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, and Oman engage major regional players. Does this foreshadow a foreign policy shift? Can Modi’s preferences explain this shift? This paper aims to extract insights on Modi’s influence on this policy evolution. Drawing from foreign policy studies, it questions prevailing interpretations, suggesting a noteworthy change in India’s stance in the Middle East.