David Lyngdoh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to Israel on February 25–26, 2026 — his second since the landmark 2017 trip — sends a clear message: India’s engagement with Israel reflects policy continuity, not a departure from its long-standing approach to West Asia.
India’s foreign policy in the region has never been rigid or ideological. It has consistently been guided by strategic autonomy and practical national interests. For decades, New Delhi has balanced relations with Israel, Arab nations, and Iran based on energy security, trade, diaspora welfare, counter-terrorism cooperation, and technological advancement. The region’s complexity has required nuance, not alignment with fixed blocs.
The foundation of India–Israel ties was laid in 1992, when a Congress-led government established full diplomatic relations. Since then, defence and technology cooperation has grown steadily across successive administrations. Israel has become a key defence partner, while collaboration in agriculture, water management, cybersecurity, and innovation has expanded significantly. The trajectory has been bipartisan and incremental.
What changed in recent years was not the direction of policy but its visibility. Under Prime Minister Modi, India effectively “de-hyphenated” its relationship with Israel from the Palestinian issue. This meant engaging Israel on its own strategic merits without allowing that relationship to be framed solely through the prism of Palestine. Importantly, this shift did not dilute India’s support for a negotiated two-state solution. New Delhi continues to back Palestinian statehood and maintain diplomatic engagement with Palestinian leadership.
The current visit reinforces this evolution. Coming at a time of regional volatility — including post-Gaza ceasefire tensions, US–Iran frictions, and shifting geopolitical alignments — the trip underscores the resilience of the partnership. Prime Minister Modi’s address to the Knesset, meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, and discussions centered on defence cooperation, artificial intelligence, start-ups, connectivity, and education highlight enduring areas of convergence.
Symbolism also matters. The standing ovation in Israel’s parliament and visible gestures of cultural goodwill reflect a partnership that has matured into one of mutual respect. The relationship is no longer confined to defence transactions; it is increasingly defined by innovation ecosystems, strategic dialogue, and people-to-people ties.
Critics may question the timing of the visit, particularly amid global scrutiny of Israel’s recent actions. Yet India’s calibrated diplomacy demonstrates confidence. Strengthening ties with Israel does not come at the expense of India’s robust relations with the Gulf states. Economic and strategic partnerships with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations continue to deepen. Energy flows remain stable, trade is expanding, and the Indian diaspora across West Asia remains central to India’s regional engagement.
This multi-vector approach has long defined India’s West Asia strategy: engage all major players, avoid exclusive alignments, and protect national interests in a fluid geopolitical environment. Modi’s visit does not mark a break from the past. Rather, it consolidates a steady shift toward pragmatic realism and open engagement.
In an era of shifting alliances and regional uncertainty, continuity is a strength. India’s message is clear: partnerships may evolve and deepen, but the core principles of balanced diplomacy and strategic autonomy endure.
