Israel Seizes Syrian Golan Heights Buffer Zone: All About The Dispute & India’s Stance – News18
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India has advocated for a Syrian-led political process that is inclusive of all segments of Syrian society, including Alawites, Kurds, and other minority groups
Ousted Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and PM Modi.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel for almost 60 years, will remain part of Israel “for eternity”. His statement came amid growing criticism of an Israeli takeover of a previously demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian-controlled territory.
Netanyahu’s moves came after Syrian rebels declared that they had toppled President Bashar al-Assad after seizing the capital, Damascus, forcing him to flee and bringing an end to his family’s decades-long autocratic rule following over 13 years of civil war. The victory of the Islamist rebels also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran, key allies of Assad who had backed his regime during critical stages of the conflict.
The Israeli PM said after the downfall of Assad’s regime, the long-established 1974 ceasefire agreement had collapsed, adding that Syrian troops fleeing their positions prompted Israel’s decision to seize control of the area.
Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory.
Over the weekend, Netanyahu directed troops to enter a UN-monitored buffer zone and launch airstrikes on what Israel claimed were regime weapons depots.
On Monday, the United Nations stated that this action violated the 1974 disengagement agreement.
What Is India’s Stance
On Monday, as global powers vied for influence and sought to divide Syria based on geographical proximity, India reaffirmed its support for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. India also advocated for a Syrian-led political process that is inclusive of all segments of Syrian society, including Alawites (Hafez al-Assad is an Alawite), Kurds, and other minority groups.
Last year, India voted in favour of a draft resolution in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that expressed deep concern over Israel not withdrawing from the Syrian Golan. The Syrian Golan is a region in southwest Syria that was occupied by Israeli forces on June 5, 1967.
The 193-member UNGA voted on the draft resolution ‘The Syrian Golan’ under agenda item ‘The situation in the Middle East’ on November 28, 2023. The resolution, introduced by Egypt, was adopted by a recorded vote with 91 in favour, eight against, and 62 abstentions.
India-Syria Relations
India-Syria relations are most likely to change after Assad’s downfall, but the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations even through trying times.
India and Syria have long shared friendly relations, but at the same time, India has condemned violence committed by both Assad’s regime and the opposition rebels.
New Delhi has supported Syria on various international issues, including the Palestinian cause and Syria’s claim over the Golan Heights. In return, Syria has backed India’s stance on the Kashmir conflict, maintaining that it is an internal matter for India to resolve.
At the United Nations, India opposed sanctions against Syria and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, called for their relaxation due to humanitarian concerns. India has also advocated for the principle of non-interference by foreign powers.
During the civil war that began in 2011, India supported a non-military, inclusive, Syrian-led political solution. Even at the height of the conflict, when many nations isolated Syria and it was expelled from the Arab League, India continued its relations and kept its embassy in Damascus.
New Delhi has also contributed to Syria’s development at various points, including a USD 240 million credit line for a power plant, investments in IT infrastructure, steel plant modernization, the oil sector, and significant exports of rice, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India renewed its bilateral ties with Syria after the country rejoined the Arab League in 2023 following the devastating civil war. In July 2023, then-Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan made a significant ministerial-level visit to Damascus.
The murky political situation could either work in India’s favour to leverage ties with the Middle East or it could ruin India’s investments in the oil sector.
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