Introduction Pro-Israel Rally in India
In 2025, India’s geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, with its growing alignment with Israel marking a significant shift from its historical pro-Palestinian stance. Pro-Israel rallies, such as those seen in cities like Ahmedabad and New Delhi in recent years, reflect this transformation, driven by strategic partnerships, ideological convergence, and changing public sentiment. These events, often met with polarized reactions, highlight India’s delicate balancing act between its traditional non-aligned foreign policy and its deepening ties with Israel, a key player in the Middle East. This article explores the context, implications, and public response to pro-Israel rallies in India, set against the backdrop of geopolitical alliances and domestic dynamics in 2025.
Pro Israel rally in India 🇮🇱🤝🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/eIpOIEBhvy
— E A G L E (@JesvinGeo) June 13, 2025
The Rise of Pro-Israel Sentiment
India’s relationship with Israel has strengthened significantly since formal diplomatic ties were established in 1992. Once a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, India has shifted toward a pragmatic partnership with Israel, driven by shared security concerns, defense cooperation, and economic interests. By 2025, Israel is India’s second-largest arms supplier, providing drones, missile systems, and surveillance technology, with bilateral trade reaching $4.52 billion by 2014 and continuing to grow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic 2017 visit to Israel, followed by reciprocal visits from Israeli leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu, cemented this alliance.
Pro-Israel rallies in India, such as the one in Ahmedabad on October 16, 2023, where participants waved Israeli flags and chanted slogans like “As you fight Israel, we are with you,” reflect this shift. These events, often organized in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed states, align with the ideological convergence between the BJP’s Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) agenda and Israel’s Zionist policies. Both ideologies emphasize majoritarian narratives, framing minorities—particularly Muslims—as security threats, which resonates with certain segments of India’s population. Posts on X have highlighted this, with one noting, “India and Israel share a common anti-Muslim narrative,” underscoring the ideological underpinning of these rallies.
Geopolitical Context in 2025
India’s pro-Israel stance is part of a broader geopolitical realignment. The Abraham Accords, normalizing ties between Israel and several Arab states, have reshaped Middle Eastern alliances, creating space for India to strengthen ties with both Israel and Gulf nations like the UAE. The I2U2 forum (India, Israel, UAE, US) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor exemplify India’s role in this “New Middle East,” prioritizing economic and technological collaboration. However, this alignment risks straining relations with Arab states, home to India’s 9-million-strong diaspora, whose remittances and energy supplies are critical to India’s economy.
India’s selective condemnation of terrorism, such as its swift denouncement of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack while abstaining from UN resolutions critical of Israel, reflects strategic pragmatism. Israel’s support for India, including condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, and praising India’s retaliatory airstrikes on Pakistan on May 7, 2025, further solidifies this partnership. This mutual support is rooted in a shared narrative of combating “Islamic jihadist terrorism,” as articulated by India’s national security advisors and echoed by US leaders, forming a tripartite axis with ideological and strategic dimensions.
Public Sentiment and Domestic Dynamics
Public sentiment in India toward Israel is deeply polarized. Pro-Israel rallies, often backed by BJP supporters, contrast sharply with pro-Palestinian protests, which face crackdowns, especially in BJP-ruled states. In 2023, authorities in Maharashtra arrested protesters at a pro-Palestine march in Mumbai, citing “unlawful assembly,” while similar restrictions were reported in Indian-controlled Kashmir, a region with historical pro-Palestinian sentiment. In contrast, pro-Israel gatherings face fewer hurdles, reflecting government alignment with Israel.
This disparity has sparked criticism. Pro-Palestinian activists argue that India’s shift undermines its historical role as a champion of the Global South and its moral authority. A 2025 protest in New Delhi, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Organization, demanded that India declare Israel an apartheid state and sever diplomatic ties, highlighting frustration with the government’s stance. Posts on X express similar concerns, with one user stating, “By siding with Netanyahu, India risks isolating itself from the vast Muslim world, turning allies into adversaries.”
The BJP’s Hindu nationalist rhetoric, which often portrays Muslims as a “common enemy,” fuels pro-Israel sentiment among its base. This narrative draws parallels between Israel’s policies in Palestine and India’s approach to Kashmir, with both nations framed as democracies battling terrorism. However, critics argue that India’s domestic policies and its Kashmir strategy are rooted in indigenous ideologies like Hindutva, not merely emulations of Israel.
Implications for India’s Global Standing
India’s pro-Israel tilt carries significant geopolitical risks. Aligning with Israel’s policies, often criticized for human rights violations, could erode India’s credibility as a voice for global justice. Arab nations, vital for India’s energy security and diaspora remittances, may reconsider ties if public sentiment in the region sours. The Israel-Iran conflict, escalating in 2024, further complicates India’s position, threatening oil price spikes and trade disruptions.
Conversely, the partnership offers strategic benefits. Israel’s defense technology strengthens India’s security, particularly in counterterrorism, while economic collaborations like I2U2 enhance India’s global influence. The pro-Israel rallies, while controversial, signal India’s alignment with Western powers like the US, potentially improving relations under the Trump administration in 2025.
Conclusion
Pro-Israel rallies in India, such as those in 2023 and likely continuing into 2025, reflect a complex interplay of geopolitical alliances and domestic sentiment. Driven by strategic interests and ideological alignment between Hindutva and Zionism, these events underscore India’s shift from its pro-Palestinian past. However, they also highlight tensions, with pro-Palestinian voices facing suppression and critics warning of diplomatic fallout. As India navigates this delicate balance in 2025, its ability to maintain relations with both Israel and Arab states while addressing domestic polarization will shape its role on the global stage. The rallies are not just expressions of support—they are a window into India’s evolving identity as a geopolitical player.
