116 recognition without relationsThus, despite the perceived ambiguity, prolonged nonrelations could not
be used to question the validity or the legal status of India’s recognition.
If one looks beyond the legal tangle, why did India take more than two
years to accord recognition?
Why Procrastination?
The most obvious explanation is the wait- and- watch attitude that
countries normally adopt when deciding on recognition. Countries need
to satisfy themselves that the newborn entity is stable, cohesive, and,
above all, is prepared to assume and play its role in the community of na-
tions. Like the rest of the world, India adopts a cautious approach regard-
ing recognition and has normally followed rather than led the interna-
tional community. Its stances on the recognition of Algeria, East Germany,
or the PLO refl ect this trend.^46 Indeed, delayed recognition of Israel was
accompanied by its indiff erent stance toward the APG proclaimed by the
Palestinian leadership in September 1948.
With regard to Israel, however, there are a number of additional rea-
sons. As discussed elsewhere, domestic public opinion, especially of the
Muslims, played a considerable role. The second reason has to be found
in the Arab factor. India was afraid that any hasty move would antago-
nize the Arabs and jeopardize its larger interests in the Middle East. The
issue of recognizing Israel fi gured in India’s deliberations with the Arab
countries. Following his meeting with Prime Minister Nehru in Wash-
ington in October 1949, Elath cabled: “He [Nehru] recently discussed Is-
rael with Arab and Muslim envoys [in] New Delhi, emphasizing necessity
[of ] reconciliation [with] realities and preparing them for our inevitable
recognition by India.”^47 According to another se nior Israeli diplomat, the
Iraqi delegation “brought strong pressure [on] the chief delegate [of ] India
to activate against Indian recognition [of ] Israel.”^48
Nehru’s biographer Gopal admits the Arab infl uence on India’s ap-
proach toward Israel. According to him, “on the question of Israel’s ad-
mission to the United Nations, his [Nehru’s] fi rst reaction was to abstain.
Later, as part of the policy of co- operation with the Islamic States, he or-
dered the Indian delegation to vote against.”^49 Less than two weeks after
recognizing Israel, Nehru frankly admitted the Arab factor and informed
the chief ministers, “We would have done this [recognition of Israel] long
ago, because Israel is a fact. We refrained because of our desire not to off end