India, Feb. 26 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jerusalem on February 25 for his Modi Israel visit 2026, marking another significant chapter in the evolving strategic partnership between India and Israel.
Ahead of the visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had publicly signalled Modi’s parliamentary address, underscoring the importance Israel attaches to the trip. Shortly before departure, Modi stated that discussions would focus on expanding cooperation across trade, energy, artificial intelligence, defence, culture and people to people ties.
During the visit, Modi is scheduled to meet Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, address the Knesset, and interact with members of the Indian diaspora.
Historical Foundations of Bilateral Relations
India formally recognised Israel on September 17, 1950. Diplomatic engagement deepened significantly after the establishment of full diplomatic relations on January 28, 1992, under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.
Over the decades, defence and agriculture have formed the backbone of bilateral cooperation, later expanding into science and technology, homeland security, and innovation. Israel has remained among India’s top defence suppliers, alongside Russia and France, with substantial annual defence trade.
India and Israel have also shared moments of solidarity during conflicts. Israel extended support during the 1962 India-China war and the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. In recent years, both nations have reinforced counter-terror cooperation, particularly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which Modi strongly condemned while expressing solidarity with Israel.
Growing Economic and Strategic Engagement
In 2024, India ranked as one of Israel’s major trading partners, with expanding ties in innovation, artificial intelligence, clean energy and critical technologies. Bilateral defence transactions and technology partnerships have continued to grow, reflecting shared strategic priorities.
Modi’s 2017 visit to Israel the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister marked a watershed moment in bilateral relations. Netanyahu’s subsequent visit to India in 2018 further consolidated diplomatic momentum.
Cultural and Civilisational Connect
Beyond statecraft, India-Israel ties are reinforced by deep civilisational connections. India is widely recognised as a country where Jewish communities have lived without persecution for centuries. From Kolkata’s historic synagogues to the refuge offered to Polish Jewish children during World War II in Gujarat, the relationship carries strong humanitarian and cultural dimensions.
The Modi Israel visit 2026 reflects not only strategic calculations but also enduring democratic values and shared concerns over regional security, economic resilience and counter terrorism cooperation.
As both nations navigate an increasingly uncertain global landscape, the visit signals continued alignment between New Delhi and Jerusalem on political, economic and security fronts.