11. PM Modi’s Israel Visit and West Asian Geopolitics: Parliamentary Scrutiny

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, recently reviewed the Ministry of External Affairs\' (MEA) budgetary allocations and the strategic implications of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Israel on February 25, 2026. This visit, the first in nine years, occurs against a backdrop of severe regional instability and a US military build-up in West Asia, prompting intense legislative debate on India’s \'strategic autonomy.\' Key Highlights of the Parliamentary Discussion • Timing and Regional Volatility: Members questioned the rationale of visiting Jerusalem while India has simultaneously issued advisories for citizens to leave Iran, suggesting a potential risk of India being perceived as taking sides in a widening conflict. • Diplomatic Objectives in Israel: The visit aims to strengthen technology cooperation and innovation, with the PM scheduled to address the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. • Funding for Chabahar Port: The MEA clarified that the absence of new budgetary allocations for the Chabahar Port in Iran is because India has fulfilled its current $120 million commitment for equipment; however, members flagged this as a potential sign of waning interest in a key strategic asset. • MEA Budgetary Constraints: The committee criticized the 7.8% increase in MEA\'s budget as inadequate compared to the recommended 20%, noting that the Ministry’s share remains a mere 0.4% of the total Union Budget. • Diplomatic Footprint Gaps: Concerns were raised regarding \'under-staffed\' missions, with India having no diplomatic presence in 41 countries and several missions being managed by a single IFS officer. • Strategic Autonomy Concerns: Some MPs alleged that India’s foreign policy is increasingly influenced by US interests, potentially compromising the traditional \'Non-Aligned\' or \'Multi-Aligned\' stance. Definitions of Key Terms • Strategic Autonomy: The ability of a nation-state to pursue its national interests and adopt its preferred foreign policy without being constrained by other states. • Standing Committee on External Affairs: A permanent department-related committee of Parliament tasked with scrutinizing the working and budgetary demands of the MEA. • Knesset: The unicameral national legislature of Israel. • Chabahar Port: A strategic port in Iran developed with Indian assistance to provide a transit route to Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Article 51 (DPSP): Mandates the State to promote international peace and security and maintain just and honorable relations between nations. • Article 113: Pertains to the \'Procedure in Parliament with respect to estimates,\' under which Standing Committees scrutinize the Demands for Grants of various ministries. • Article 246 (Union List): \'Foreign Affairs\' and \'Entering into treaties and agreements with foreign countries\' are subjects exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Union Government. Additional Important Key Points • India-Israel Relations: Transitioned from \'hesitant\' to a \'Strategic Partnership\' in 2017, focusing on defense, agriculture, and water management. • Humanitarian Context: The visit is scrutinized due to the ongoing Gaza conflict, where casualties have reached significant levels, impacting India\'s balancing act between Israel and the Arab world. • Diaspora Management: Since the 2016 merger of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the MEA, members expressed concern that the specific needs of the 32 million-strong Indian diaspora are not receiving focused attention. Conclusion and UPSC Relevance The scrutiny of the PM\'s visit reflects the inherent tensions in India\'s \'Link West\' policy, where it must balance ties with Israel, Iran, and the Arab monarchies simultaneously. For the UPSC Civil Services Exam, this is a vital topic for GS Paper II (International Relations - Effect of Policies of Developed & Developing Countries on India\'s Interests) and (Polity - Parliamentary Committees). It highlights the role of the legislature in ensuring executive accountability in foreign policy and the financial challenges (0.4% budget allocation) that limit India’s global \'Soft Power\' and diplomatic reach.