DECEMBER 2015 ISSUE NO. 119 Mukherjee's Middle East Visit: Setting a New Template? P. R. KUMARASWAMY ABSTRACT President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel in October was different for its content and long-term implications. A careful analysis of his statements and speeches in Amman, Ramallah and Jerusalem indicates a new Indian template for its engagement with the Middle East. While some of his observations were a reiteration of the traditional Indian positions since the early 20th century, they also signal a more nuanced approach to the turbulent region. INTRODUCTION Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to indicates a new Indian template for its Jordan, Palestine and Israel in October this year engagement with the Middle East. While some of has been radically different not only for its content his observations were merely a reiteration of but also for its long-term implications. positions taken historically by the Indian Presidential visits normally involve a solitary leadership since the early 20th century, a closer public speech before the official banquet. reading suggests that his engagements signal a However, during Mukherjee's six-day visit to the more nuanced approach to the turbulent region. Middle East, in addition to four briefings by his Further, the coverage itself of Mukherjee's delegation, the President made four public visit was novel and highly unprecedented. Over statements in Jordan, four in Palestine, and three the years, as overseas visits by Indian presidents in Israel, in addition to an extensive interaction have been nothing more than symbolic and with members of the media at the conclusion of ceremonial, they have evoked little interest within the visit. Besides, officials in the Presidential the Indian polity, including the media. Such visits delegation gave two media briefings in Jordan and are considered necessary to nurture high-level one each in Palestine and Israel. The Ministry for political contacts and reiterate India's interests External Affairs (MEA) also separately issued lists and commitments to these countries. Often, state of agreements signed in Amman, Ramallah and visits rarely make it to the media besides the Jerusalem. A careful analysis of these events president's departure from India and arrival Observer Research Foundation (ORF) is a public policy think-tank that aims to influence formulation of policies for building a strong and prosperous India. ORF pursues these goals by providing informed and productive inputs, in-depth research and stimulating discussions. The Foundation is supported in its mission by a cross-section of India’s leading public figures, academics and business leaders. To know more about ORF scan this code ORF ISSUE BRIEF No. 119 • DECEMBER 2015 1 Mukherjee's Middle East Visit: Setting a New Template? home. Moreover, domestic preoccupations and of the Middle East responded to the regime increasingly crowded multilateral summits change in New Delhi. Hence, since 16 May 2014, provide a limited window for Indian prime many have observed and commented upon an ministers to travel abroad. In the twilight of his impending upsurge in Indo-Israeli relations; some term as prime minister, Manmohan Singh was expressed hope in view of the cold reception Israel forced to skip a few heads of government meetings received during the decade-long UPA rule when due to domestic preoccupations and compulsions. bilateral visits were less frequent and more Since assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra difficult to organise. Even National Day Modi has reinvented the concept of high-decibel celebrations failed to attract high-level foreign trips. However, the list of countries with representation from the UPA governments. which engagement is critical is far too long to be At the press conference called by External met only by the prime minister. Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj to mark the first anniversary of NDA rule on 31 May, she THE CONTEXT remarked, So far as the Prime Minister is concerned, he will also be visiting. Israel will also Foremost, President Mukherjee's visit to Israel be visited. No dates have been fixed. This then was undertaken with considerable political sparked off extensive media debates; some were calculations. This was a return visit from India happy, while many others had misgivings. after the visit of President and former Air Force Palestinians have had an unpleasant experience Chief Ezer Weizman in December 1996. Since with Modi. During the earlier NDA rule, their then, Israel has been seeking a visit by the Indian ambassador to India was recalled following his President. While K R Narayanan in the late 1990s unflattering remarks about the then Chief and early 2000s was reluctant, his successors were Minister Modi over the anti-Muslim riots. Unlike a little more willing but were blocked by the the 1982 incident involving the expulsion of the Congress-led UPA governments. Thus it has taken Israeli Consul in Mumbai over a media interview, nearly two decades to organise a reciprocal Indian this time, the Vajpayee government quietly asked visit to Israel. Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat to recall his Organising a presidential visit to Israel envoy. Over the years, many have rationalised the appears more sensible and feasible than a visit by BJP-Israeli bonhomie by attributing it to Prime Minister Modi. As the Lok Sabha votes were ideological convergence. being counted on 16 May 2014, an impending At the same time, political exchanges at the Indo-Israeli bonhomie became clear. As trends level of the Prime Minister would not be easy and indicated a landslide victory for the BJP, Israeli might send a wrong and unintended message. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu became the While engagement with Israel is necessary, it first world leader to place a call to Narendra Modi should be nuanced; therefore, the visit by the and congratulate him for his election. As Chief President. As the media were anticipating the Minister of Gujarat, Modi had visited Israel in follow-up to Swaraj's May statement, the 2006 and both leaders met thereafter in New York President's visit to the region was announced. in September 2014. The fact that Netanyahu was the only leader Modi met bilaterally during the UN LOGISTICAL IMPERATIVES General Assembly session did not go unnoticed. During the funeral of former Singapore Prime Stand-alone visits to Israel or Palestine is wrought Minister Lee Kuan Yew in March 2015, Modi met with controversies and problems. Indeed, in the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and has since been wake of the Oslo process, foreign leaders have exchanging messages, greetings and phone calls made it a point to visit both, especially when the with Netanyahu. This was in contrast to the situation in the Gaza Strip (then the general apathy and indifference with which much administrative headquarters of Arafat) was 2 ORF ISSUE BRIEF No. 119 • DECEMBER 2015 Mukherjee's Middle East Visit: Setting a New Template? relatively stable. Countries which did not have 1947 Indian positions on the Palestine question diplomatic relations with Israel, have coordinated would be seen as backsliding. their visit to the PNA-controlled areas; for Interestingly, the President's visit to Palestine example, the tacit Israeli approval facilitated the began in the Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. visit of Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani to Rather than taking the King Hussein Bridge the Gaza Strip in October 2012. The refusal of earlier known as the Allenby Bridge, Mukherjee then Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to took the aerial route from Amman and then drove 'coordinate' her visit to the Gaza Strip in 1994 led overland to reach Ramallah. This perhaps was a to its eventual cancellation. In June 2000, the response to the deteriorating security situation in then Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister L the West Bank since the Jewish holiday season in K Advani attempted to maintain the balance but late September and the spate of knifing attacks in November 2014, Home Minister Rajnath Singh within the Green line. skipped Ramallah and visited only Israel. Unlike the Prime Minister, who represents the But treading the political tightrope is not the largest political party or block in the Lok Sabha, only imperative; there are logistical compulsions the President represents the entire nation and as well. Though recognised by a vast majority of hence Mukherjee's delegation included different countries, Palestine is not a sovereign entity in political parties and constituencies. President the legal sense of the term, as it does not have Mukherjee repeatedly harped on him being the control over entry into or egress from its Visitor of 114 institutions; the inclusion of territories. While the Palestinians control the Vice-Chancellors of three New Delhi-based Rafah crossings into Egypt, since the militant Central Universities and Director of the IIT- takeover of the Strip by Hamas in June 2007, the Kharagpur in the delegation was also noteworthy. other part of Palestine is outside the control of the The visit also took care of certain protocol issues. West Bank-centric PNA. The entry into the West In terms of exercise of powers, heads of state play Bank is controlled by Israel on all sides. Indeed, more pivotal roles in Jordan and Palestine than during the UPA era, the junior EAM and Indian Union Muslim League leader E Ahamed visited their prime ministers: King Abdullah-II and Ramallah without meeting any Israeli leaders but Mahmud Abbas are the principal decision-makers tacit Israeli acquiescence was necessary. Partly to and their cabinets play a secondary role. The avoid this logistical challenge, India has been situation is reverse in Israel, where the President including Jordan in some of its political occupies a largely ceremonial position. Thus in engagements with Israel and Palestine. The visit two of the three countries, Mukherjee's hosts and of EAM S M Krishna in January 2012, for interlocutors represent the real power centres.