Asif Mahmood
Indian Prime Minister Modi is visiting Israel at a time when ideological alignments in the region are becoming increasingly visible. In my view, the political philosophy of Hindutva and the doctrine of Zionism represent assertive and exclusionary national projects. One is rooted in South Asia and the other in the Middle East, yet the parallels in their rhetoric, statecraft, and territorial imagination are too striking to ignore.
Zionism’s interpretation of “biblical lands” and Hindutva’s vision of “Bharat Mata” and “Akhand Bharat” are frequently cited as examples of expansive civilizational claims. Certain Zionist currents have historically invoked a territorial imagination stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates, grounded in religious texts. Similarly, strands within the Hindutva movement have articulated the idea of an undivided civilizational India, encompassing territories beyond the boundaries of the present Republic of India.
These are not merely symbolic or theological concepts but ideas that shape political discourse and influence policy direction. In Israel, debates over settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have often been framed in historical and religious language. In India, the discourse surrounding Akhand Bharat has appeared in political symbolism, including controversy over maps displayed during the inauguration of the new Parliament building.
Both states face sustained criticism in international forums. Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories have been repeatedly debated at the United Nations, particularly regarding settlements, occupation, and compliance with international humanitarian law. India’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir, especially following the revocation of Article 370 and the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, have similarly drawn scrutiny from international human rights organizations and foreign observers.
In the West Bank, Israeli settlement expansion has altered demographics and land ownership patterns. In Kashmir, new domicile laws and land regulations introduced after 2019 have prompted concerns among critics about long term demographic change.
The analogy extends to legal instruments. Israel’s absentee property laws have been widely debated for their impact on Palestinian property rights. In India, amendments affecting waqf properties and land regulations in Kashmir have been criticized by some as disproportionately affecting Muslim communities.
The strategic relationship between Israel and India has deepened over the past decade, encompassing defense cooperation, intelligence sharing, and technology partnerships. This partnership reinforces ideological affinities.
Pakistan has never been ambiguous in its position. It has consistently opposed Israeli policies toward Palestinians and Indian actions in Kashmir, not as a matter of convenience but as a matter of principle. When Israeli and Indian strategic interests converge, it is not an abstract diplomatic development. It directly affects the regional balance of power. Islamabad views this alignment through a hard geopolitical lens because it has to. In a region already defined by unresolved conflicts and security volatility, the growing strategic intimacy between Israel and India is not neutral. It carries implications for deterrence, intelligence cooperation, military doctrine, and the broader contest for regional influence.