Window of Opportunity for India

Context: Normalisation of ties between the United Arab Emirates and Israel augurs well for India, opening up exciting new possibilities for collaboration.

Consequences of recent ties between UAE and Israel:

• Two visible dimensions : 

• Shared Interest: The intent to establish normal ties between UAE and Israel and the decision by Israel to suspend its plans for annexation of certain Palestinian territories.

• Mutual Animosity towards Iran: Israel and UAE have had a longstanding relationship that was built around shared interests such as their animosity towards Iran.

• Regional Stability and Collaboration: In context with important ramifications for the Middle East and beyond.

• The Saudis have already allowed Air India to use its airspace for flights to Israel.
• Oman had already received Netanyahu, while Bahrain had hosted the US-sponsored Peace and Prosperity conference in June 2019. 
• Egypt and Jordan already have diplomatic relations and the Egyptian President has welcomed the development.
• Israel and the UAE are two closest friends in the Middle East of India, which has formally welcomed the developments. 

• Palestinian Problem: While the Palestine of upset over the recent agreement, the UAE has tried to lighten the fear.

• Palestine never accepted the Trump-Kushner ‘deal of the century’ and had refused to take part in the Peace and Prosperity plan that reduces Palestine to a piece of Swiss cheese.
• The UAE has tried to “defuse a ticking time bomb that was threatening the two-state solution”, to avoid imminent annexation by Israel.