118 recognition without relationsto honor international commitments. Like many other states, India had
misgivings over Israel’s survival. However, Israel not only survived as a
sovereign entity but showed its ability and willingness to shoulder respon-
sibility as a member of the international community. India could not
ignore this.^56
Third, Israel had become a reality and was recognized by a large num-
ber of states. Long before the Indian move, two other states that had en-
dorsed the federal plan, Iran and Yugo slavia, recognized the Jewish state.
While Yugo slavia recognized Israel on May 19, 1948, within days of its
establishment, Ira ni an recognition was obtained on March 15, 1950.^57
Moreover, during the crucial UN vote on partition, Yugo slavia abstained.
Turkey, another major Islamic country, had recognized Israel well before
India.^58 Even Indonesia was not indiff erent, and its prime minister
and foreign minister, Muhammad Hatta, sent a formal communication
to Shertok acknowledging Israel’s recognition of his country.^59 India could
not have remained indiff erent to the growing international accommoda-
tions toward Israel.
Fourth, in May 1949 Israel joined the United Nations. Explaining the
link between recognition and UN membership, Nehru told the Indian
parliament: “our policy [is] to recognize any country that was an in de pen-
dent functioning country represented in the United Nations.”^60 Similarly,
his close confi dant V. K. Krishna Menon argued, “I have always taken the
view that what ever country is recognized by the UN should be recognized
by us.”^61 Though Israel’s admission was conditional,^62 it came against the
background of similar membership requests being rejected by the UN Se-
curity Council. The cold- war rivalry blocked the memberships of countries
such as Albania and Jordan, whereas Israel was recognized by the rival
blocs. Even though he voted against Israel’s entry into the United Nations,
Nehru could not ignore the prevailing international view on Israel.
Fifth, Indian recognition was also infl uenced by its policy regarding
the People’s Republic of China. In its view, the po liti cal orientation of the
regime in Beijing should not be an impediment to recognition.^63 As one of
the fi rst countries to recognize the new, communist China and ignore the
breakaway Taiwanese republic, Nehru came under pressure, especially
from lawmakers. Even though the Chinese and Israeli situations were
diff erent,^64 questions were asked about him adopting “various criteria”
regarding recognition.^65 There were suggestions that a diff erent stance
regarding recognizing Israel “would have placed India in a paradoxical
situation.”^66 At least at the pop u lar level, India would not be able to