Modi Visits Israel to Deepen Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel Wednesday to strengthen bilateral economic and strategic ties.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Israel on his second official visit, aiming to reinforce economic cooperation and political engagement between the two nations. The visit comes at a sensitive time, as Israel’s military operations in Gaza continue to draw global attention.

According to reports by Al Jazeera, this marks Modi’s second trip to Israel, underlining New Delhi’s commitment to sustaining its strategic outreach in West Asia.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the two countries share a “very strong bond” and are expected to review cooperation across trade, technology, defence and innovation sectors. Officials indicated that fresh initiatives may be discussed to further institutionalise bilateral mechanisms.

Last year, India and Israel signed an investment agreement aimed at expanding bilateral trade and encouraging cross-sector collaboration. As part of that engagement, Israel’s finance minister visited New Delhi to consolidate financial partnerships and explore new avenues for joint ventures.

Official figures show that bilateral trade between India and Israel reached approximately 3.9 billion US dollars in 2024, while joint investments were valued at nearly 800 million dollars. Key sectors include defence manufacturing, agriculture technology, water management, cyber security and start-up innovation.

India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, and ties have steadily expanded into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past decade, high-level exchanges and defence cooperation have significantly strengthened mutual trust and long-term engagement.

However, the visit unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza war, which began in October 2023 and has reportedly resulted in over 72,000 deaths and more than 171,000 injuries. The humanitarian situation remains a matter of international concern.

Modi’s visit reflects India’s calibrated foreign policy approach, balancing strategic interests with regional sensitivities while seeking to expand economic diplomacy and reinforce its footprint in West Asia.

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