India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Israel on Wednesday for a two-day official visit aimed at deepening defence cooperation and expanding trade relations with one of India’s key strategic partners. The trip, while focused on economic and security collaboration, has also ignited political criticism back home.
In his departure statement, Modi described the India-Israel relationship as a “robust and multifaceted strategic partnership.” During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, address the Knesset, and hold talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Modi emphasized that bilateral ties have strengthened significantly in recent years, particularly across defence, agriculture, cybersecurity, and high-technology sectors.
Expanding Trade and Defence Cooperation
The visit comes as formal discussions have begun in New Delhi on an India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to government data, merchandise trade between the two nations reached approximately US$3.62 billion in 2024–2025.
Since establishing full diplomatic relations in 1992, India and Israel have steadily built closer ties. However, relations deepened notably after Modi took office in 2014. In 2017, Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, followed by a reciprocal visit from Netanyahu in 2018. Both leaders have publicly referred to each other as “friends,” reflecting the political alignment between their governments.
Beyond trade, strategic cooperation remains central. Israeli drone technology reportedly played a significant role during India’s May 2025 military tensions with Pakistan. Meanwhile, India’s corporate presence in Israel has grown, with the Adani Group operating the Mediterranean port of Haifa.
Regional Diplomacy and Corridor Plans
In September 2023, New Delhi unveiled ambitious plans for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor — a connectivity initiative linking railways, ports, electricity grids, digital networks, and pipelines across the region, including through Israel and Saudi Arabia.
However, progress stalled after the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
India continues to balance its expanding partnership with Israel while maintaining strong ties with Gulf nations and Iran. New Delhi is actively developing Iran’s Chabahar port as a strategic trade gateway to Afghanistan, where India has maintained engagement despite political complexities.
Political Criticism at Home
Modi’s visit has drawn reactions from opposition leaders. Senior Congress party figure Priyanka Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to raise concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza when addressing Israel’s parliament.
India, home to 1.4 billion people, includes an estimated 220 million Muslims, making Middle East diplomacy a sensitive domestic issue.
The visit underscores India’s attempt to walk a diplomatic tightrope — strengthening defence and economic cooperation with Israel while managing internal political pressures and regional relationships.
A Human Dimension Behind Diplomacy
Beyond trade figures and strategic corridors lie real human concerns. Families in India watch closely as their government navigates global conflicts. Business communities anticipate new economic opportunities. Citizens across religious and political lines hope their country’s voice reflects both strength and compassion.
As leaders shake hands in parliament halls and sign agreements behind closed doors, millions of ordinary people — in India, Israel, and beyond — remain deeply affected by the outcomes of these diplomatic decisions. In an interconnected world, foreign policy is no longer distant politics; it touches livelihoods, security, and shared humanity.
