Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Israel, holding extensive engagements with the country’s top leadership and addressing the Knesset in Jerusalem.
Modi arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and was received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders held delegation-level talks focusing on defense cooperation, counter-terror coordination, artificial intelligence, cyber security, agriculture technology and water management. Discussions also covered the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment flows.
During his address at the Knesset in Jerusalem, Modi began with greetings in Hebrew and Hindi, underlining civilizational ties between India and the Jewish people. He strongly condemned ‘terrorism’, referring to the October 7 attacks by Hamas, and stated that no cause can justify the killing of innocent civilians. He reiterated India’s support for dialogue and a peaceful resolution in West Asia while affirming solidarity with Israel against terrorism.
Modi also met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, business leaders and technology innovators. Agreements were reported in areas of defense manufacturing collaboration, joint research in quantum and space technologies, and expansion of startup partnerships.
The visit is expected to bring tangible benefits for India in advanced defense systems, precision agriculture, water recycling technologies and innovation-driven investments. Israel remains a key supplier of defense equipment to India, and cooperation in missile systems and surveillance platforms is likely to expand further.
However, analysts note that India’s deepening engagement with Israel may draw diplomatic scrutiny from sections of the Arab world and could require calibrated balancing given India’s traditional support for the Palestinian cause. The visit comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, placing India in a delicate but increasingly influential diplomatic position.
The trip marks another significant phase in the evolving India-Israel strategic partnership, reflecting growing alignment in security, technology and economic collaboration. [KNT]
