JERUSALEM — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Israel Wednesday, launching a two-day diplomatic mission centered on expanding security, economic and technological partnerships between the two nations.
During his stay, Modi plans to conduct discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, culminating in an address to the Israeli parliament Wednesday night.
“Our nations share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X. “Ties have significantly strengthened in the last few years.”
Netanyahu described their relationship as one between “personal friends” when announcing the visit earlier this week. The diplomatic engagement could provide Israel with valuable international backing at a time when relationships with numerous allies have grown strained following the Gaza conflict that erupted in October 2023.
Beyond diplomatic ties, India represents Israel’s second-largest Asian trading partner. Commerce between the two countries reached $3.62 billion during the 2025 fiscal year, based on data from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
This marks Modi’s second official journey to Israel, following his groundbreaking 2017 trip that made him the first Indian prime minister to visit the country. Netanyahu returned the gesture with his own visit to India in 2018.
During a Cabinet session Sunday, Netanyahu outlined that economic and security matters would dominate their discussions, along with technology sharing initiatives encompassing artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
“We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision,” Netanyahu posted on X before Modi’s arrival. “Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress.”
Modi’s close relationship with Israel represents a notable departure from India’s traditional foreign policy approach. Historically, India maintained strong support for Palestinian causes and delayed establishing complete diplomatic relations with Israel until 1992.
As a committed Hindu nationalist leader, Modi quickly demonstrated solidarity with Israel following the October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas militants, becoming among the first world leaders to offer support.
However, India joined over 100 nations earlier this month in criticizing Israel’s recent measures to expand control over the occupied West Bank while reducing the Palestinian Authority’s already limited authority.
