PM Modi Addresses Knesset, Holds Wide-Ranging Talks with Netanyahu to Deepen India-Israel Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day state visit to Israel on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. He was received with full ceremonial honours at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally welcomed him, underscoring the importance Jerusalem attaches to the visit.

During his trip, Modi is scheduled to address the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before Israel’s Parliament. The address is expected to highlight the steady expansion of bilateral ties and outline a future roadmap for cooperation across defence, technology, trade and innovation. Officials described the speech as a landmark diplomatic gesture reflecting the maturity of relations between New Delhi and Jerusalem.

Talks between the two leaders are set to focus heavily on defence and security collaboration, long regarded as a cornerstone of India-Israel ties. Among the issues under discussion is a key proposal involving the conversion of six Boeing 767 aircraft into mid-air refuelling tankers for the Indian Air Force. The project is seen as critical for enhancing India’s aerial combat and long-range operational capabilities. Both sides are also expected to explore expanded cooperation in cybersecurity, counter-terrorism measures and advanced defence technologies.

Beyond security matters, the visit aims to strengthen collaboration in high-technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, water management, agricultural innovation and climate-resilient solutions. Israel’s expertise in water conservation and agri-tech continues to be of particular interest to India, especially as New Delhi looks to improve productivity and sustainability in its rural economy.

Trade and economic engagement are also on the agenda, with discussions likely to cover avenues for boosting bilateral commerce and encouraging joint ventures in cutting-edge industries. Officials indicated that new agreements or memoranda of understanding could be announced to institutionalise cooperation in emerging sectors.

Modi, before departing for Israel, described the partnership as “robust and multifaceted,” expressing confidence that the visit would help chart new areas of collaboration. Netanyahu, for his part, has highlighted India as a crucial strategic partner in Asia and an important pillar in Israel’s broader diplomatic outreach.

The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, adding further diplomatic weight to Modi’s engagements. Observers note that India has carefully balanced its ties in West Asia, maintaining strong relations with multiple stakeholders while expanding its strategic footprint.

As the two leaders meet for high-level talks and ceremonial events, the visit is widely seen as a reaffirmation of the steadily evolving partnership between India and Israel — one rooted in defence cooperation but increasingly diversified across innovation, trade and people-to-people connections.