Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong statement of support for Israel during his visit to Jerusalem, telling members of the Israeli parliament that India stands “firmly” with Israel after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
In a heartfelt address at the Knesset, India’s top leader brought condolences from the people of India and said, “We feel your pain, we share your grief.” He emphasized that India stands with Israel “with full conviction in this moment and beyond.”
While Modi spoke about shared grief, he did not directly mention the significant Palestinian civilian toll in Gaza during the over two-year conflict. Instead, he stressed that India supports efforts toward lasting peace and regional stability.
A key part of the visit was strengthening economic and technological ties. Modi highlighted the shared potential between India’s growing economy and Israel’s innovation leadership, especially in quantum technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the sentiment, saying India’s support for Israel stemmed from understanding Israel’s role as “a defensive wall against barbarism.” Netanyahu called the visit an opportunity to “reinforce our ties.”
This is Modi’s second official trip to Israel since becoming prime minister in 2014. The warm reception included a red‑carpet welcome and a personal greeting from Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport. Officials described the leaders’ relationship as a “real friendship.”
Modi shared on social media that he and Netanyahu had an “excellent” meeting, covering bilateral relations and regional developments. He’s also expected to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
India and Israel have been steadily boosting cooperation in defence, agriculture, technology, and cybersecurity. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) began in New Delhi, where officials noted bilateral trade reached roughly US$3.62 billion in 2024–25.
Criticism at Home
Not everyone in India supports the overt alignment. Some critics, including senior opposition figures, urged Modi to acknowledge the loss of Palestinian lives in Gaza during his speech. India’s population is culturally and religiously diverse, and debates over foreign policy often reflect those complexities.
Relations between India and Israel formally began in 1992 and have deepened significantly since Modi took office. This visit comes amid broader regional initiatives aimed at expanding economic and infrastructural links across the Middle East and beyond.
