Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s “firm” support for Israel during a visit to Jerusalem, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that left many lives lost. Speaking in the Knesset, Modi conveyed his condolences, saying, “We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.”
The two-day visit, which included meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and plans to meet President Isaac Herzog, focused on strengthening trade, defence, and technological ties. Modi highlighted India’s economic growth and Israel’s technological leadership as a “natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership,” pointing to potential collaborations in quantum technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
Netanyahu praised India’s support, describing Israel as a “defensive wall against barbarism,” and called the relationship between the two nations “a real friendship.” The leaders’ personal bond was on display at Ben Gurion Airport, where Modi was greeted with a warm hug and red-carpet welcome.
While Modi’s remarks were empathetic toward Israel, critics at home have pointed out the lack of acknowledgment of the tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties in Gaza. Priyanka Gandhi, senior Congress leader, urged the prime minister to recognize the suffering of innocent men, women, and children during his speech.
India has carefully balanced its Middle East diplomacy while expanding cooperation with Israel in defence, agriculture, technology, and cybersecurity. Trade between the nations reached US$3.62 billion (RM14.07 billion) in 2024-2025, and talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) began earlier this week in New Delhi.
Modi’s visit is the second as prime minister, following a 2017 trip, and comes as India pursues ambitious regional projects, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, linking railways, ports, energy, and digital infrastructure across multiple countries.
Amid diplomatic progress, the human element remains at the heart of the story. Millions of families across the region continue to face the impact of conflict, and while leaders negotiate strategic and economic ties, ordinary lives—both in Israel and Gaza—carry the weight of decisions made in halls of power. Modi’s visit, therefore, is not just about agreements and technology; it’s a reminder of the delicate balance between international relations and human compassion.
