Should India Support Qatar and Distance Itself from Israel?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Owaisi calls for India to support Qatar.
- He criticizes Israel's actions under Netanyahu.
- India's economic ties with Qatar are significant.
- Free Trade Agreement with Qatar is on the horizon.
- Owaisi condemns the investment treaty with Israel.
Hyderabad, Sep 10 (NationPress) AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi called on the Indian government to align with Qatar and sever ties with Israel on Wednesday.
In a statement on ‘X’, Owaisi emphasized that this is a pivotal moment for India to showcase a clear and principled stance.
He directed his message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting that it was the Israeli government that has attacked, bombed, and infringed upon Qatar's sovereignty.
The MP asserted that the genocidal regime led by Benjamin Netanyahu poses a threat to global peace and stability.
Owaisi reminded Prime Minister Modi that approximately 700,000 Indians are employed in Qatar and pointed out that in the fiscal year 2024-25, India exported goods worth $1.68 billion while imports amounted to $12.47 billion.
He also mentioned that India is expected to finalize the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Qatar.
Owaisi reiterated his message in Arabic and tagged the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, insisting that India should support Qatar and distance itself from the globally isolated state of Israel.
“This is an opportunity for India to show a firm and principled stance. JAI Hind,” he concluded.
In a previous tweet, the AIMIM leader condemned the signing of a bilateral investment treaty with Israel as reprehensible.
“It is appalling that the Modi government has formalized a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Israel while it oversees genocide, ethnic cleansing, and famine in Gaza,” AIMIM stated.
Owaisi shared a photo of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman alongside her Israeli counterpart Bezalel Smotrich during the signing of the agreement.
The MP remarked that the individual seated next to Sitharaman believes it is “just and moral” to starve Gazans, adding that arrest warrant applications against him are pending with the ICC. “Supporting a genocidal government cannot align with national interests,” Owaisi stated.