The official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel on 25-26 February 2026 and his negotiations with the country’s leaders have elevated bilateral relations to the level of a “special strategic partnership.”
The Palestinian Issue Was Off the Agenda
What is also of particular interest is whether India’s experienced and skillful intelligence services possessed data on the inevitability of military action against Iran either just prior to or immediately after Narendra Modi’s visit. Attention has also been drawn to the fact that during the discussion of various international and regional issues, the Palestinian question seemingly fell off the agenda during the talks in Tel Aviv. Furthermore, unlike in previous times, there was no Modi trip to Ramallah scheduled and no meetings with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas planned either.
It is clear that the focus of the current negotiations between the two prime ministers was primarily on defence, technology, and trade and economic cooperation. It is indicative that India accounts for nearly 35 per cent of Israeli defence exports, while bilateral trade turnover is growing year on year and currently stands at around $4 billion. India is interested first and foremost in purchasing high-tech innovative equipment, quantum technology, and artificial intelligence products from Israel, among other things.
Free Trade Agreement at Its Final Stage
Cooperation in the agricultural sector is also actively developing, particularly in terms of adopting Israeli expertise in “smart agriculture.” Several dozen benchmark projects in this field are already being implemented in India. The main goal for both sides, however, is the speedy signing of a free trade agreement, and negotiations on this matter appear to be in their final stage.
Among the 16 agreements and documents signed following the visit, there are those covering trade, agriculture, science, education, healthcare, and culture. Understandings in the defence and military-technical sphere are of particular significance, as these are currently the key areas of bilateral relations. The trade volume in this sector exceeds $10 billion, with new contracts being currently negotiated, based on the memorandum on defence cooperation, signed previously. The contracts mentioned presuppose Israel transferring modern military technology and localising military equipment and weapons production. The Indians are actively purchasing Israeli high-tech equipment for their armed forces, including avionics, UAVs, missile and anti-tank systems, AWACS systems, and other weaponry. During the visit, the sides additionally agreed on launching the joint production of air defence systems, laser weapons, and drones.
Narendra Modi Addresses the Knesset
The visit was marked by the first-ever address by an Indian prime minister to the Israeli parliament (the Knesset), which made it central to the visit. In his speech, Narendra Modi exalted Israel’s achievements in every way possible, supported its leadership’s efforts in the fight against terrorism, while condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas, and expressed support for American plans for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He also touched upon the successful development of bilateral relations and outlined India’s role as one of the key international and economic leaders. Notably, at the conclusion of the event, Narendra Modi was awarded the Knesset’s highest honorary medal.
As during his other foreign visits, the prime minister traditionally met with representatives of the Indian diaspora in Israel (amounting to over 40,000) and told them about India’s achievements in various fields.
In general, this latest planned trip by the head of the Indian government to Israel, amidst the crisis situation surrounding Iran, was evidently aimed at further expanding cooperation, primarily in defence and technologies. This particular objective was successfully accomplished, judging by the outcomes of the visit, and the sides have advanced to an even higher level of strategic partnership. This line of further rapprochement with Israel, pursued by the Indian leadership, is perfectly compatible with New Delhi’s multi-vector and pragmatic foreign policy course.
Anwar Azimov, diplomat and political scientist, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Eurasian Studies Institute, MGIMO University, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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