Why did India condemn Doha strike?, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• India condemned Israel's bombing in Doha on September 9 as a "violation of sovereignty".
• The Israeli strike targeted a home where Hamas leaders were discussing a ceasefire proposal.
• India's Ambassador to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, invoked the UN charter and international law.
• Experts suggest India's stance is influenced by its close ties with Qatar and concerns over the Saudi-Pakistan defence agreement.

Detailed Insights:

• India's strong condemnation contrasts with its muted reactions to previous Israeli operations in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.
• Qatar is a crucial gas supplier with a large Indian diaspora, and strong personal ties exist between PM Modi and the Qatari Emir.
• Israel's actions have alarmed Gulf countries, potentially leading to a geopolitical shift where the U.S. is no longer seen as the sole guarantor of security.
• India's silence on the Gaza conflict, where over 65,000 have died, is straining relations with the Arab world, prompting a need to factor in regional dynamics.
• The Gulf Cooperation Council is committed to building a joint defence mechanism to deal with future threats.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Sovereignty: Supreme authority within a territory, free from external control.
• Two-state solution: A proposed framework to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict by establishing two independent states for two peoples.
• Geopolitical shift: A significant change in the global or regional balance of power and influence.