“in its impact on the people in the Middle East suff ering from the conse-
quences of Zionist occupation and operation, Zionism was clearly a form
of racial discrimination.”^69 Surprisingly, India’s neighbors Bhutan and
Nepal abstained during the controversial vote. Appreciation of Indira
Gandhi’s domestic situation partially explains India adopting such an
extreme position. Having been disqualifi ed for her electoral malprac-
tices, she was fi ghting for po liti cal survival. Midnight, June 26, 1975, she
imposed a state of internal emergency, arrested thousands of opposition
leaders and activists, muzzled po liti cal dissent, and censored the media.
Until the emergency was lifted, following Indira Gandhi’s defeat in the
Lok Sabha elections in March 1977, there was very little parliamentary
discussion and none whatsoever on foreign aff airs. Since freedom of ex-
pression was severely curtailed, it was unlikely that anyone would have
off ered any alternative views, let alone critical comments, on Israel.
These events highlight the pronounced pro- Arab thrust under Indira
Gandhi. Even while being reluctant to normalize relations, Nehru had
avoided making harsh public remarks against Israel. The converse was
true for his daughter. Adopting an openly belligerent position was per-
ceived to be in India’s interest. There were not many known po liti cal or
nonpo liti cal contacts with Israel during her tenure. It was during this
period, especially after the October war, that India added a new hurdle,
refusing visas to Israeli passport holders. A signifi cant number of Israeli
scientists, professional athletes, and other leading fi gures were denied
permission to attend international gatherings hosted and or ga nized by
India.^70 This policy was briefl y relaxed during the tenure of the Janata
government, but it was revived with vigor after Indira Gandhi returned
to power in 1980. Thus, when Indira Gandhi lost the elections in March
1977, Indo- Israeli relations were at their worst.
Janata and After (1977– 1980)
In early 1977, the Janata Party, an amalgamation of various op-
position parties that contested the election on an anti- INC platform, won
an unexpected victory in the Lok Sabha elections. They formed the fi rst
non- INC government in New Delhi, under the leadership of Morarji
Desai.^71 Despite its brief tenure, which was riddled with infi ghting and
lacked focus, the Janata government ushered in some noticeable changes
regarding Israel. Its co ali tion consisted of erstwhile noncommunist
the years of hardened hostility, 1964–1984 217