India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel (February 2026)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel began on 25 February 2026 and was conducted as part of a two-day official program. The visit was planned to assess the current state of diplomatic and strategic relations between India and Israel and to enhance cooperation in various fields. High-level meetings took place in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

During the visit, Modi was scheduled to address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset. This speech holds diplomatic significance as it marked the first time an Indian prime minister directly addressed Israel’s legislative body. The program also included meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The agenda of the visit was shaped around defense, security, economy, technology, and regional developments. The aim was to deepen bilateral relations within the framework of the existing strategic partnership between India and Israel.

Narendra Modi’s Address to the Knesset

On 25 February 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the plenary session of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) as part of the first day of his two-day official visit. This speech has been recorded in history as Modi’s first official address to the Knesset by an Indian leader and was met with a standing ovation. In his remarks, Modi emphasized India’s strong support for its relationship with Israel, stating, “India stands firmly beside Israel during this period and beyond with complete conviction.” He also characterized the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 as “barbaric” and asserted that no cause could justify the killing of civilians.

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Modi also highlighted India’s strong support for the Gaza peace initiative approved by the United Nations Security Council in November 2025. The Indian leader stated that this plan has the potential to pave the way for a fair and lasting peace for all peoples in the region. Following the speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked India for its solidarity following the 7 October attack and spoke of the “shared interests” between the two countries.

On the second day of Modi’s two-day official visit, after delivering his address to the Knesset in Tel Aviv on the evening of 25 February 2026, the visit continued with diplomatic ceremonies. Immediately following the Knesset session, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana presented Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the “Knesset Medal,” the highest honor awarded by the Israeli parliament. This award was conferred in recognition of Modi’s contributions to strengthening strategic relations between the two nations, making him the first Indian prime minister to receive it. According to statements from news agencies, the award ceremony served as a symbol of mutual diplomatic respect.

Later in the visit, Modi paid a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center in Jerusalem, honoring the victims of the Holocaust. This visit was planned as part of the dialogue between the two states and as a gesture of respect for historical memory. Additionally, bilateral talks were held between Modi and Netanyahu, during which steps were discussed to expand cooperation in technology, water management, agriculture, and other areas. It was reported that the official engagements concluded successfully, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to sustaining their strategic partnership.

Meetings with Netanyahu and Bilateral Engagement

Official talks were held between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the visit. Defense and security cooperation formed key agenda items, with particular emphasis on military technology, intelligence sharing, and strategic coordination.

The parties also discussed enhancing cooperation in trade and investment. Ongoing projects in technology, innovation, and the defense industry were reviewed for potential expansion. Agriculture technology and water management were also addressed within the framework of economic cooperation.

Regional security issues were also discussed during the talks. The mutual interests of India and Israel were assessed in the context of current developments and security dynamics in the Middle East. It was stated that both sides reached consensus on continuing diplomatic coordination.

Defense and Security Cooperation

Defense relations between India and Israel were a central focus of the visit. The synergy between Israel’s capabilities in defense technology and arms systems and India’s modernization needs was underscored. The continuation of existing defense projects and the evaluation of new agreements were placed on the agenda.

Counterterrorism and border security were also identified as areas of mutual interest. Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen mechanisms for information sharing and technical cooperation against security threats. Enhancing coordination between security institutions was highlighted as a priority.

It was noted that defense cooperation extends beyond the procurement of military equipment to include training, technology transfer, and joint production projects. This dimension was recorded as a key factor strengthening the strategic nature of the relationship.

Economic and Technological Cooperation

Economic relations held a prominent place in the visit agenda. The goal was to increase bilateral trade and expand investment opportunities. Both sides prioritized developing cooperation in high technology, cybersecurity, and innovation.

Agriculture technology and water management emerged as leading sectors for cooperation. It was noted that there is a complementary relationship between Israel’s technical expertise in these fields and India’s potential for large-scale implementation.

Joint projects in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering were also considered. It was emphasized that economic cooperation is not limited to trade but also encompasses technology development and knowledge sharing.

Regional and International Context

The visit took place against the backdrop of the current security environment in the Middle East. The strategic importance of India’s relations with Israel has grown within the context of regional tensions and international diplomatic developments. Modi’s visit was viewed as part of India’s multifaceted foreign policy approach.

It was noted that while maintaining its relationship with Israel, India continues its diplomatic engagement with other actors in the region. This approach was framed within India’s balanced foreign policy strategy.

The engagements during the visit were recorded as diplomatic steps aimed at ensuring the continuity of existing cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.