Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day state visit to Israel on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. This is the second official visit by Modi to Israel, the first having taken place in 2017. Israel Parliament conferred its highest honour upon PM Modi.
“The Gaza Peace Initiative, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council, offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” Modi said, while addressing Knesset, Israel’s Parliament.
“Terrorism aims to destabilise societies, to block development and to erode trust. Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere. That is why India supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability,” he added.
“India is a gigantic power of almost one and a half billion people. Israel is somewhat smaller, but Israel is gigantic too. I want to say that the alliance between us is an enormous multiplier of our individual powers, an enormous multiplier. It’s a multiplier of the spirit and the multiplier of deeds and capabilities,” said Netanyahu.
Hindi in Knesset: ‘aapka Swagat hai…(you are welcome)…”
“Jerusalem mein aapka swagat hai, Knesset mein aapka swaat hai (We welcome you to Jerusalem, we welcome you to the Knesset),” said Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, referring to PM Modi.
The ‘saffron’ link between PM Modi and Sara Netanyahu
PM Modi arrived in Tel Aviv and received a warm, red-carpet welcome from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu, who was wearing a saffron dress, at Ben Gurion Airport.
The personal rapport between the two leaders was evident, reinforcing a strong bilateral connection and signalling close cooperation.
In a symbolic gesture ahead of the visit, the Knesset building was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag (tricolour) to honour the Prime Minister’s arrival.
The visit prioritises several key areas:
Defence and Security Cooperation: Discussions are expected to focus on advanced defence collaboration, including counter-terrorism, technology sharing, and potential cooperation on defence systems.
Trade, Technology & Innovation: Both nations have emphasised economic cooperation across sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation, with ongoing talks on a potential Free Trade Agreement and bilateral agreements.
People-to-People Relations: Modi is also expected to engage with India’s diaspora in Israel, acknowledging their role in strengthening bilateral goodwill.
The visit occurs against a backdrop of regional geopolitical tensions, including heightened concerns over US-Iran dynamics in the Middle East, which are being closely watched by New Delhi due to implications for Indian citizens in the Gulf and broader security interests.
India continues to balance its strengthening ties with Israel while maintaining its long-standing support for a peaceful resolution in the Israel-Palestine conflict and calls for a two-state solution.
