WEBDESK: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Israel for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, as tensions escalate between the United States and Iran and fears of a broader regional conflict grow.
The trip highlights the deepening relationship between Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2017, Modi made history as the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, a trip marked by symbolic gestures including a widely publicized barefoot walk with Netanyahu on a Haifa beach. Nearly nine years later, both leaders remain in office and continue to describe each other as close partners.
This visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, defense technology, and broader strategic collaboration. Israeli officials have indicated that the talks could lead to new partnerships across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on boosting Israel’s military exports. According to officials, the relationship between the two countries is nearing a significant upgrade.
Modi is also scheduled to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and pay tribute at Yad Vashem, the country’s official Holocaust memorial.
Regional Security Concerns
The visit takes place against the backdrop of heightened US military activity near Iran. Washington has deployed significant naval forces close to Iran’s coastline amid stalled negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. An aircraft carrier has also been sent to the Mediterranean, moving toward Israel’s coast.
Any potential US military action against Iran could trigger retaliation from Tehran, possibly targeting Israel or American military installations in Gulf Arab states. Such a scenario carries particular concern for India, as millions of Indian nationals live and work in the Gulf region and contribute substantially to India’s economy through remittances.
Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation in India noted that New Delhi is keen to avoid instability in the region. He suggested that India would likely communicate its preference for de-escalation during high-level discussions in Israel.
Israeli officials have acknowledged that regional issues will form part of the agenda during the visit. Netanyahu recently described India as a key component of a future coalition of like-minded nations, emphasizing that cooperation between the two countries could strengthen their resilience and long-term prospects.
While India has shown growing interest in Israeli defense equipment and technology, analysts point out that New Delhi remains cautious about entering formal alliances, given its longstanding tradition of strategic non-alignment.
