India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had very little interest in developing good relations with Israel; the Non-Aligned approach of Nehru had ended him criticizing Israel on the issue of Partition, the Sinai conflict and one which didn’t allow Israel to join the Non Aligned movement. He eventually took the side of the Arab nations for “unknown reasons”.
Mrs. Indira Gandhi like her father was in favor of supporting the Arab Nations over Israel, she ended up criticizing Israel on the Six Day war, started active relations with Palestine Liberation Organization, aggressively condemned Israel on the Lebanon war but later became sensitive towards Israel and quietly started back channel diplomacy with Israel. Her son and successor Rajiv Gandhi extended the back channel diplomacy which lead to some economic engagement and eventually improved relations with Israel.
