Israel and MENA in India-Pakistan Crisis: Strategic Allies & Tactical Mediators

India’s recent drone strikes on Pakistani territory have illuminated a quiet but decisive evolution in South Asia’s geopolitical chessboard: Israel’s rising influence as a key defense partner to India, and the increasingly activist diplomatic role played by Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) states. What might have once been a bilateral flashpoint has now become a regional theatre of contesting alliances, advanced weaponry, and ideological confrontation.

Israel’s Strategic Stake: From Supplier to Enabler

The most striking feature of India’s response to the latest terrorist attack in Kashmir has been its use of Israeli-manufactured Harop loitering munitions, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. These “kamikaze drones” were reportedly deployed in strikes targeting militant infrastructure in Pakistani cities such as Karachi and Lahore, following Indian missile retaliation.

This is not an isolated incident. Since formalizing diplomatic ties in 1992, India and Israel have steadily built a deep defense and intelligence relationship. Israeli drones, radar systems, and precision-guided munitions were reportedly used during the 1999 Kargil conflict and again during the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. Dr. Oshrit Birvadker of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security observes that Israel’s drone technology has significantly expanded [India’s] high-altitude surveillance and strike capability.

Beyond military hardware, political alignment has grown explicit. The Israeli ambassador to India has repeatedly backed New Delhi’s right to self-defense, with public condemnations of terrorism that align squarely with Indian rhetoric. Some analysts argue that this alignment is rooted in a convergence of ethno-nationalist ideologies—with both governments emphasizing sovereignty, security, and demographic control in contested territories.

Pakistan’s Counter-Narrative: Seeking Islamic Solidarity

Islamabad has responded with outrage—not only at the incursions but at the perceived India-Israel alliance. Pakistani media outlets have described it as an “axis of occupation,” drawing direct comparisons between Kashmir and Palestine. Islamabad has engaged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and sought diplomatic backing from Turkey, Iran, and possibly Malaysia, aiming to position India’s actions within a broader narrative of Muslim victimhood.

Notably, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Turkish and Iranian envoys in Islamabad within days of the strikes, seeking a unified diplomatic front. While Pakistan’s ability to mobilize hard power remains constrained, it is clearly pursuing a soft-power counter strategy—framing the conflict in religious and civilizational terms.

MENA States: Brokers of Calm in a Polarized Region

While Israel aligned with India, the Gulf states opted for diplomacy. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait dispatched envoys to both capitals in an effort to de-escalate tensions. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir engaged directly with Indian and Pakistani leaders, urging restraint.

Iran and Turkey also offered mediation, though with mixed results. Iran’s offer was clouded by its fraught relationship with India, especially over India’s ties with Israel and Saudi Arabia. Turkey, which has historically supported Pakistan, reiterated its call for restraint while denying reports of arms transfers to Islamabad.

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s diplomatic activism reflects both economic interdependence and strategic caution. Millions of Indian and Pakistani expatriates live and work in the Gulf, and both countries are major trading partners—particularly in energy. The Gulf monarchies, wary of appearing partisan, struck a careful rhetorical balance, avoiding overt endorsements while appealing to dialogue.

Non-State Actors and the Risk of Escalation

The alignment of India and Israel has not gone unnoticed by non-state actors. Radical Islamic groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba have seized upon the symbolism of an India-Israel axis to galvanize support and attract recruits. Social media platforms are already witnessing a surge in content equating Kashmir with Palestine, amplifying calls for jihad and anti-Zionist resistance.

This ideological linkage—however tenuous it may be in fact—has the potential to transnationalize the conflict, drawing in sympathizers from across the Muslim world and raising the risk of retaliatory attacks beyond South Asia.

The Invisible Battlefield: Cyber and AI Collaboration

What’s unfolding isn’t just about drones. India and Israel are also collaborating in cybersecurity, AI-enhanced surveillance, and predictive threat management. Israeli firms like Rafael and Elbit Systems are reportedly advising on smart border projects in Kashmir, modeled on Israel’s own border security framework. Meanwhile, concerns persist over the alleged use of Pegasus spyware, developed by Israel’s NSO Group, in Indian domestic surveillance.

These developments point to a new model of strategic cooperation—one that goes beyond arms to include joint doctrine development, cyber offense, and digital authoritarianism.

[https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/india-damning-new-forensic-investigation-reveals-repeated-use-of-pegasus-spyware-to-target-high-profile-journalists/]

Global Scrutiny and Legal Challenges

Israel’s expanding arms footprint in South Asia is attracting international attention and criticism. Human rights groups have called for stricter arms export controls, citing the risk of Israeli technology being used in disputed or occupied territories. The European Union and certain US Congressional voices have raised questions about the ethics of fueling regional arms races, especially given India’s status as a nuclear power.

While Israel has often sidestepped global norms by operating outside multilateral export regimes, its role in South Asia may trigger new calls for transparency and accountability in defense exports.

Comparative Table: Israel vs. MENA States in the Crisis

Conclusion: Shifting Alliances, Rising Risks

Israel’s deepening alliance with India has altered the strategic landscape in South Asia—enabling faster, more precise military responses while also injecting a controversial ideological subtext. Meanwhile, MENA states have sought to mitigate escalation, positioning themselves as pragmatic brokers in a deeply polarized conflict.

Yet, the crisis is far from over. With AI-enhanced warfare, cross-regional ideological framing, and new diplomatic entanglements, the India-Pakistan dispute is no longer just a subcontinental matter. As drones cross borders and diplomacy races to catch up, one must ask: are we watching the future of conflict—or the failure of peace?