Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel. Today is the 2nd day of his visit as the second Prime Minister. Modi was last in Israel in 2017 before his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu reciprocated his visit to India in 2018.
On his first day, Modi received a standing ovation from Israeli lawmakers when he pledged “friendship, respect and partnership” with Israel at a time when its standing in the world has suffered because of the war in Gaza.
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“Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world,” Modi said in a speech at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, where he received a standing ovation from lawmakers after a 30-minute address.
The rapturous greeting underscored how much closer ties between Israel and India have grown under Modi, whose embrace of Israel marked a shift in India’s foreign policy, which has historically supported the Palestinians.
This is also PM Modi’s first trip to Israel Israel and Hamas agreed in October last year on a ceasefire governed by the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza”. Last week, India along with more than 100 other nations condemned Israel expansion in the West Bank.
Formerly, Netanyahu accompanied by his wife Sara Netanyahuhe personally received PM Modi at Ben Gurion Airport, reflecting the close personal relationship between the two leaders. The two prime ministers warmly embraced each other upon arrival.
What’s on today?
The next day, the two leaders will hold bilateral talks and Prime Minister Modi will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Prime Minister Modi will also attend delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, followed by an exchange of MoUs and press statements by the two leaders.
PM Modi will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora and visit a technology and innovation exhibition in Israel.
Here is the complete itinerary of Day 2 of PM Modi’s visit to Israel:
Day 2 – Thursday 26 February 2025
-Visit Yad Vashem.
-Bilateral negotiations with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
– Negotiations at the delegation level with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
-Exchange of memorandum of understanding and press statements.
-Interaction with prominent members of the Indian-Jewish community.
Tensions between the US and Iran
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel comes at a time of rising tensions between the states USA and Iranwith the Pentagon mobilizing its military assets in the region. Iran and the US are expected to hold new talks in Geneva today on Iran’s nuclear program.
However, ties between India and Israel deepened after Narendra Modi took office in 2014. In 2017, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Netanyahu reciprocated by visiting India in 2018. The two leaders called each other “friend”.
Netanyahu and Modi have spoken on the phone at least 10 times in the past three years. The two countries signed defense pacts and started free trade talks in November last year.
Israel’s key trading partners
Israel is an important economic partner for India in the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor.
Defense, security, agriculture, water management, science and technology, trade, economy and people-to-people relations are key areas of cooperation between the two nations today.
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India ranks second among Asian countries in merchandise trade with Israel. IN FY 2024-25merchandise trade between India and Israel was approximately US$ 3.62–3.75 billion ₹340 billion), with India exporting goods worth about $2.1 billion and importing about $1.5-1.6 billion from Israel.
Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world.
Ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and recent investment treaties aim to deepen economic ties and increase this number substantially in the coming years.
