If the Gaza crisis explodes, India too will lose

Context:

India should support the moderate Palestinian Authority for better security and politics.

India's Shifting Perspectives on the Middle East

Early Indian Preference for Secular Nationalists: Independent India initially favored modern, secular leaders in the Middle East over traditionalist and religious forces.
Complexities beyond Secular vs. Conservative: The simplistic division between secular republics and conservative monarchies failed to grasp the intricate dynamics of the region.
Rise of Religious Extremism Alters Dynamics: Developments since the late 1970s led to the emergence of violent religious extremism, challenging both secular and conservative regimes.

India's Evolving Middle East Engagement

India's Closer Ties with Arab Moderates and Israel: India has strengthened its relations with Arab moderates and Israel due to shared interests in countering extremism, economic development, and regional security.
Recent Gaza Violence Threatens Progress: The recent violence in Southern Israel and Gaza poses a challenge to India's gains in the Middle East.
Preventing Crisis from Breaking Emerging Coalition: Indian policy must work to prevent the current crisis from fracturing the emerging alliance of Arab moderates and Israel.

Imperatives for Indian Policy in the Middle East

Encouraging Greater Moderation in Israel: India should advocate for prudence in Israel's response to attacks, cautioning against a potentially costly and counterproductive invasion of Gaza.
Strengthening the Palestinian Authority: Support for the moderate Palestinian Authority against Hamas is crucial for stability in the region.
Recognizing Regional Ambitions of Iran and Turkey: India must acknowledge the geopolitical aspirations of Iran and Turkey, non-Arab powers with influence in the Middle East.

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