Netanyahu welcomes PM Modi as India - Israel relations surgeThe Shillong Times

theshillongtimes.com · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Jerusalem, Feb 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday, receiving a red-carpet welcome from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at Ben Gurion Airport. The warm reception, including a ceremonial hug and handshake, underscored the renewed momentum in India-Israel relations. This marks Modi’s second visit to Israel in nine years, following his first visit in 2017 when bilateral ties were elevated to a strategic partnership. Modi expressed his honour at the reception and looked forward to productive discussions aimed at strengthening India-Israel cooperation across multiple sectors. The leaders held a brief one-on-one meeting addressing areas such as technology, agriculture, water management, talent partnerships, and regional developments. Modi emphasized that the talks would further consolidate strategic ties and foster collaboration in science, innovation, defence, trade, investment, and people-to-people relations. The Indian and Jewish Indian diaspora warmly welcomed Modi at his hotel, with vibrant cultural performances symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two nations. Modi highlighted the importance of people-to-people ties, noting the contributions of the 41,000-strong Indian diaspora in Israel. Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. Israel supplies India with advanced military platforms, and discussions included the potential integration of elements from Israel’s Iron Dome into India’s indigenous air defence system, “Sudarshan Chakra.” Economic ties are also growing, with the two nations signing a Bilateral Investment Agreement in September 2025 and initiating Free Trade Agreement negotiations after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit in November. The visit holds strategic significance amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including deteriorating US-Iran relations. Modi reaffirmed that the trip aims to set new goals for bilateral cooperation and deepen the multifaceted partnership, while advancing innovation, security, and prosperity. Netanyahu highlighted the personal rapport between the two leaders and the broader impact of their friendship on India-Israel ties, signaling a commitment to strengthened collaboration in defence, technology, trade, and cultural exchanges. The visit underscores India’s intent to expand strategic, economic, and people-to-people engagement with Israel, reinforcing both countries’ shared vision for innovation, resilience, and regional stability. (PTI)