Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel on a two-day official visit,Warmly Received by PM Netanyahu
Jerusalem | Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel on a two-day official visit. Upon landing in Jerusalem on Wednesday, he was warmly received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu. The warm embrace between the two leaders at the airport was widely seen as a symbol of the growing closeness between the two nations.
In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office praised the “close personal relationship” and “deep and enduring friendship” between the two leaders. The primary objective of the visit is to further strengthen cooperation in security, economic, and technological sectors.
Historically, India supported the Palestinians and did not establish full diplomatic relations with Israel until 1992. Since then, bilateral ties have steadily expanded. In 2017, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, followed by Netanyahu’s visit to India the next year.
Following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, Israel’s relations with several allied countries experienced strain. However, analysts believe Modi’s visit could positively influence Israel’s diplomatic standing on the international stage.
During his visit, Modi is scheduled to hold meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He will also address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, and visit the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem. Netanyahu’s office stated that several agreements related to economic, security, and political cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit.
Before landing in Tel Aviv, Modi wrote on social media platform X, “Our countries share a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership. Over the past few years, this relationship has grown significantly stronger.”
India is currently Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia. According to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, total bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 3.62 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.
At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said that in addition to economic and security issues, discussions would prioritize technological cooperation, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing. In a post on X, he wrote, “We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision. Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress.”
It is noteworthy that following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Modi was among the first world leaders to express solidarity with Israel. At the same time, earlier this month, India joined more than 100 countries in condemning Israel’s new measures to tighten control in the occupied West Bank and further weaken the limited authority of the Palestinian Authority—reflecting New Delhi’s balanced diplomatic stance.
