normalization and after 263ment took exception to the presence of the Palestinian ambassador Kha-
lid al- Shaikh at an opposition meeting critical of anti- Muslim riots in
Gujarat. Not prepared to tolerate his “interference” in Indian domestic
aff airs, it requested that Arafat recall his emissary in India; the Palestin-
ian leader was quick to comply.^69 If further proof were needed, the visit of
Prime Minister Sharon took place while the Palestinian leader was con-
fi ned to his Ramallah headquarters.
Thus, having remained aloof for much of the twentieth century, both
India and Israel have shown a serious desire and commitment to pursue
a mutually productive relationship. Even fi fteen years after normaliza-
tion, Israel still attracts widespread interest, attention, and publicity in
India. Unlike other larger countries and bigger economies, it still domi-
nates the front pages of the En glish and vernacular media. The fascina-
tion is not confi ned to those who view relations with Israel in a positive
light. The obsession with Israel is equally dominant among the critics of
India’s Middle East policy.
Even the defeat of the BJP and the formation of the INC- led UPA gov-
ernment in May 2004 did not radically alter India’s policy. The govern-
ment of Manmohan Singh was quick to dispel any misgivings. In his
address to the parliament, President Abdul Kalam outlined the policy of
the new government and declared that relations with Israel, “which have
developed on the basis of mutually benefi cial cooperation, are important,
but this in no way dilutes our principled support for the legitimate aspira-
tions of the Palestinian people.”^70 After some initial hesitation, it reiter-
ated its commitment to maintaining and improving ties with Israel. As
one commentator bitterly observed, even as Arafat was struggling for his
life in the Percy military hospital in Paris, “the Indian government was
busy preparing for the high- level po liti cal consultations with Israel.”^71
Far from “correcting” the course chalked out by the BJP, the UPA govern-
ment was prepared to pursue long- term strategic ties with Israel in the
form of joint missile development. What, then, is the big picture?