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 within the framework of the program.

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

The agenda of the visit was structured 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.

Knesset Speech and Political Messages

Modi’s address to the Knesset referenced the historical evolution of relations between the two countries and the current level of strategic partnership. He emphasized that diplomatic ties between India and Israel have progressed on the basis of mutual interests. In his speech before parliamentarians, he underscored the importance of cooperation in political and security matters.

Modi highlighted counterterrorism, regional stability and security issues during his speech. He noted the shared ground between India’s approach to security and Israel’s defense experience. In this context, he affirmed that defense cooperation between the two countries would continue.

The Knesset speech also reflected the symbolic dimension of the bilateral relationship. It was stated that India’s relations with Israel within its Middle East policy framework are multifaceted, encompassing diplomatic, economic and security dimensions in an integrated manner.

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. It was noted that military technology, intelligence sharing and strategic coordination were specifically discussed.

The two sides also addressed the need to expand cooperation in trade and investment. Ongoing projects in technology, innovation and the defense industry were reviewed with a view to their expansion. Agricultural technologies and water management were also discussed within the framework of economic cooperation.

Regional security issues were also discussed during the meetings. 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 agreement on continuing diplomatic coordination.

Defense and Security Cooperation

Defense relations between India and Israel were one of the central themes of the visit. The complementarity between Israel’s capabilities in defense technology and weapons systems and India’s modernization needs was emphasized. 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 common interest. Both sides stressed the need to strengthen mechanisms for information sharing and technical cooperation against security threats. Enhancing coordination between security institutions was put on the agenda.

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

Cooperation in Economic and Technological Fields

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

Agricultural technologies and water management emerged as leading sectors for cooperation. It was noted that Israel’s technical capacity in these areas complements India’s potential for large-scale implementation.

Joint initiatives in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering were also discussed. It was emphasized that economic cooperation extends beyond trade to include 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. In the context of regional tensions and international diplomatic developments, the strategic importance of India’s relations with Israel has grown. Modi’s visit was viewed as part of India’s multifaceted foreign policy approach.

It was noted that while maintaining relations 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.