India and Israel Forge Strategic Partnership During Modi's Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day visit to Israel on February 26, 2026, where he and Israeli leaders elevated their longstanding relationship to a special strategic partnership. As part of this visit, both nations agreed to formalise a beneficial free trade agreement in the near future. During discussions, Modi underscored his support for the Gaza peace initiative, emphasising the need for humanity to avoid the consequences of conflict.

The two leaders, at a joint press briefing, announced the signing of various agreements covering a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, education, and digital payments. Modi specifically highlighted the recently reached agreement to enable the use of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, which aims to facilitate digital transactions.

Earlier in the day, Modi met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who expressed confidence in the collaboration between the two nations. Herzog stated on social media platform X, 'The people of Israel and India are stronger together.'

Strong ties between India and Israel were further bolstered by commitments to augment defence cooperation, with plans for joint development of military hardware as part of technology transfers. Following his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi reiterated that peace and stability in West Asia are integral to India’s security interests, affirming India's commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolutions in the region.

In a direct statement, Modi noted, 'The Gaza Peace Plan has created a pathway toward peace and India has extended its full support to these efforts.' He also highlighted India's past contributions towards Israel's construction and caregiver sectors through a Manpower Mobility Agreement signed in 2023. Modi expressed pride in the skills and dedication of Indian workers, announcing an expansion of collaboration into commerce and services, and introduced the India-Israel Academic Forum to connect youth and innovators from both countries.

The Indian Prime Minister vocally condemned terrorism, stating, 'India and Israel stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters.' Modi's visit concluded with a gesture of appreciation as he dedicated the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’ to the people of India.

In the backdrop of these developments, some criticism arose from Congress leader Anand Sharma. He remarked on X that Modi’s visit should not endorse a government accused of atrocities against Palestinians, questioning the diplomatic implications of the visit.

Overall, the Modi visit not only reinforced bilateral ties but also marked a significant moment in India’s strategic engagement with Israel, especially regarding technological advancements and military cooperation.