De-hyphenation
{{Short description|Concept in international relations}}
{{For|the linguistic concept|Hyphenation}}
File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting with the President of the State of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, at Ramallah, Palestine on February 10, 2018.jpg Narendra Modi meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. While India has friendly relations with Israel, it also has good diplomatic ties with Palestine.{{Cite news |date=2018-02-11 |title=Weeks after Netanyahu visit, PM Narendra Modi says India for free Palestine |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/weeks-after-netanyahu-visit-pm-narendra-modi-says-india-for-free-palestine/articleshow/62867649.cms? |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}]]
De-hyphenation is a form of foreign policy where a country keeps diplomatic ties with two or more countries with conflicting interests, without letting the conflicts prioritize one country over another.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-11 |title=The meaning of de-hyphenation |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-international-relations-modi-in-israelbenjamin-netanyahuwest-asia-meaning-of-de-hyphenation-4744780/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} The policy allows countries to hold independent relations with countries otherwise distrustful or hostile towards each other while treating each country as a single entity rather than as a part of a conflict with the other countries.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Citizen |date=2024-06-25 |title=GNU stance on Gaza 'worrisome' – sanctions movement |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/gnu-stance-on-gaza-worrisome-sanctions-movement/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}
Etymology
The term de-hyphenation refers to removing the "hyphen" that links two entities. In the context of foreign policy, it signifies the act of untangling or disentangling the relationships between two countries or regions that were previously considered together or linked in some way. By using the term "de-hyphenation," it emphasizes the need to treat each entity independently and distinctly, rather than as a combined or interconnected unit. The word effectively captures the concept of breaking apart the previously linked foreign policy approach to allow for more tailored and individualized strategies towards each entity.{{Cite news |date=2018-02-11 |title=Weeks after Netanyahu visit, PM Narendra Modi says India for free Palestine |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/weeks-after-netanyahu-visit-pm-narendra-modi-says-india-for-free-palestine/articleshow/62867649.cms? |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
Examples of de-hyphenation
File:Prime Minister Of Bharat Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi with President Of Ukraine Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy.jpg Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June 2024 in Apulia, Italy. In spite of strong ties with Russia, India has been sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine due to the war.{{Cite web |title=India says Ukraine seeking medical, war recovery assistance |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/india-says-ukraine-seeking-medical-war-recovery-assistance |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}]]
= Indian de-hyphenation policy on Israel and Palestine =
In 2014, the then newly elected Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, instituted the de-hyphenation policy towards Israel. The aim behind the policy was to form diplomatic ties with Israel independent from the diplomatic ties India shall have with Palestine.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-18 |title=What is India's de-hyphenation policy toward Israel and why does it matter? |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/india-israel/what-is-indias-de-hyphenation-policy-toward-israel-and-why-does-it-matter-538170 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}
On 15 January 2018, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, visited New Delhi to sign agreements on cooperation in the areas of cyber-defence, security and science.{{Cite news |date=2018-01-15 |title=Netanyahu and Modi praise 'new era' in India -Israel ties |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42686597 |access-date=2024-07-10 |language=en-GB}} The visit took place one month after India had voted in favor of a resolution brought by Turkey and Yemen in the United Nations to oppose a decision made by the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a decision that was strongly against Palestinian interests.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-22 |title=Why India voted against US, Israel on Jerusalem at United Nations |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/why-india-voted-against-us-israel-on-jerusalem-at-united-nations-1114436-2017-12-22 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=India Today |language=en}} Addressing the resolution, Netanyahu stated, "I don't think one vote affects the general trend and you can see it in many other votes that we have had here. Naturally, I'm disappointed but I think this visit is a testament to the fact that [India and Israel's] relationship is moving forward on so many fronts."{{Cite web |date=2018-01-14 |title=Benjamin Netanyahu to India Today: We'll catch those behind 26/11 Mumbai attack |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/benjamin-netanyahu-to-india-today-we-ll-catch-those-behind-26-11-mumbai-attack-1144800-2018-01-14 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=India Today |language=en}}
Later, in the beginning of February 2018, Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit Palestine. On visiting Ramallah stating, "[The] Friendship between India and Palestine has stood the test of time. The people of Palestine have shown remarkable courage in the face of several challenges. India will always support Palestine's development."{{Cite news |date=2018-02-11 |title=Weeks after Netanyahu visit, PM Narendra Modi says India for free Palestine |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/weeks-after-netanyahu-visit-pm-narendra-modi-says-india-for-free-palestine/articleshow/62867649.cms |access-date=2024-07-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} In the same visit, the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, granted Modi the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest honor for a foreign dignitary in the nation.{{Cite web |date=2018-02-10 |title=PM Modi conferred 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine' {{!}} World News |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/world/pm-modi-conferred-grand-collar-of-the-state-of-palestine-5058520/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Harinder |date=10 February 2018 |title=PM Narendra Modi conferred 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine' |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/NlhWJzNtuEemKZyRf2QxIM/PM-Narendra-Modi-conferred-Grand-Collar-of-the-State-of-Pal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304060928/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/NlhWJzNtuEemKZyRf2QxIM/PM-Narendra-Modi-conferred-Grand-Collar-of-the-State-of-Pal.html |archive-date=4 March 2024 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Mint}}
= Indian de-hyphenation policy on Russia and Ukraine =
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India has maintained a diplomatically neutral stance on the issue,{{Cite web |last=Mettela |first=Teresa |title=What's behind India's strategic neutrality on Russia's invasion of Ukraine |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/india-remaining-neutral-russias-invasion-ukraine/story?id=97891228 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=ABC News |language=en}} providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine at a time of the crisis,{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=India provides 7,725 kg of humanitarian aid to Ukraine |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-provides-7-725-kg-of-humanitarian-aid-to-ukraine-101651854620406.html |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} while also abstaining to vote in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, a resolution condemning Russia over the invasion, demanding a complete withdrawal of the Russian troops from Ukraine and reversing the declaration of Luhansk and Donetsk republics.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-24 |title=Ukraine war: India abstains from UN vote on Russian invasion |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64753820 |access-date=2024-07-10 |language=en-GB}}
On 20 March 2024, Modi spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on strengthening the ties between India and Ukraine and to reiterate India's position on diplomacy and dialogue being the only means to end the war in Ukraine. The same day, Modi also contacted the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to congratulate him on his victory in the presidential elections that took place on 17 March.{{Cite web |last=Krishn Kaushik |first=Shivam Patel |date=20 March 2024 |title=India's Modi speaks to Putin, Zelenskiy ahead of top Ukraine minister's visit |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraines-foreign-minister-visit-india-next-week-sources-say-2024-03-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710182808/https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraines-foreign-minister-visit-india-next-week-sources-say-2024-03-20/ |archive-date=10 July 2024 |access-date=10 July 2024 |website=Reuters}}
On 28 March, the Foreign Minister of India, Subramaniam Jaishankar met his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba in New Delhi to discuss India's role in helping to end the invasion. India has traditionally been an ally of Russia, which prompted Ukraine to approach India to mediate between the west and Russia.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-29 |title=Ukraine and India, a historical ally of Russia, hold talks to strengthen ties |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-ukraine-jaishankar-kuleba-3826b19229331d5bf17d4f09252af709 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=AP News |language=en}} The meeting was also conducted to restore the level of cooperation between the two sides that existed before the invasion took place.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-29 |title=S Jaishankar, Ukrainian foreign minister discuss bilateral ties, global security |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/s-jaishankar-ukrainian-foreign-minister-dmytro-kuleba-meeting-bilateral-ties-global-security-2520966-2024-03-29 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=India Today |language=en}}