India Abroad: PM Modi Departs for Israel; Set to Address Knesset, Strengthen India-Israel Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for his highly anticipated two-day visit to Israel, marking his first trip in nine years since 2017. During the approximately 30-hour visit, Modi will hold high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and address the Knesset, which has been adorned in the Indian tricolour to honor the occasion. Modi described the opportunity to address the Knesset as a distinct honor and emphasized that India and Israel share a strong and growing strategic partnership. Key areas of cooperation expected to be discussed include defense, agriculture, science, and technology, with potential agreements aimed at deepening bilateral collaboration. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed excitement about Modi’s visit, highlighting optimism for future partnerships. The visit also includes engagements with the Indian community in Israel, further strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties. Observers see this trip as opening a new chapter in India-Israel relations, reinforcing mutual respect, strategic alignment, and cooperation across multiple sectors, while continuing India’s consistent role in promoting peace in the West Asia region.