Prime minister to meet Netanyahu, address Knesset
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening ties with a key trade and defence partner, sparking criticism from opposition parties at home. Modi, in a departure statement, described the relationship as “robust and multifaceted” and said he would meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
The visit follows steady growth in cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv across defence, agriculture, technology, and cyber-security sectors. India and Israel have been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, with total merchandise trade reaching $3.62 billion in 2024–2025. Modi will also hold talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Full diplomatic relations between India and Israel were established in 1992, with ties deepening after Modi took office in 2014. Modi previously visited Israel in 2017, and Netanyahu reciprocated in 2018. Both leaders have described each other as close allies. Plans for an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, connecting railways, ports, electricity, data networks, and pipelines, were unveiled in 2023 but were delayed due to the conflict in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
The Indian National Congress criticized Modi’s visit. Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi urged Modi to address the killing of Palestinians in Gaza and seek justice during his Knesset address. Congress parliamentarian Jairam Ramesh described Modi’s engagement with Netanyahu as “moral cowardice,” highlighting concerns over Israel’s military actions and expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, India continues to maintain strong ties with Gulf nations, Iran, and Afghanistan, balancing regional interests while pursuing strategic and economic objectives with Israel.
