PM Modi Israel Visit 2026: Netanyahu Calls Indian Leader ‘Dear Friend’, Partnership Set for Strategic Expansion
Lalit Kumar/Zuma Press
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged a warm personal tribute from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of his two-day Israel visit beginning February 25, 2026. During a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu described Modi as a “dear friend” and characterised his visit as a milestone moment in India-Israel relations.
Responding on his official X account, Modi expressed gratitude for the gesture and reaffirmed that India values its enduring friendship with Israel — a relationship shaped by trust, technological cooperation and shared commitments to peace and development. He noted that the visit would include meaningful discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement across strategic sectors.
Netanyahu’s remarks, delivered during the cabinet session and later shared publicly, framed Modi’s arrival as historically significant for both countries. The Israeli leader emphasised the strength of their alliance and outlined a broader vision of cooperation among like-minded nations in the Middle East focused on stability, security and technological progress.
Highlighting his personal rapport with Modi, Netanyahu said their frequent interactions and mutual visits have built a relationship that extends beyond diplomacy. He described the Indian Prime Minister not only as a strategic partner but also as a personal friend, underscoring the symbolic importance of the upcoming engagement.
According to officials, Modi’s itinerary will include an address to the Knesset, a joint visit with Netanyahu to Yad Vashem — Israel’s Holocaust memorial — and participation in a high-technology innovation event. The programme will spotlight collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and emerging technologies, areas increasingly central to bilateral cooperation.
The visit marks Modi’s second trip to Israel following his landmark 2017 visit, widely seen as a turning point that expanded cooperation in defence, agriculture and water management. Netanyahu’s reciprocal visit to India in 2018 further deepened ties, setting the stage for the next phase of engagement.
Netanyahu’s description of the visit as a historic moment has been echoed by several officials who see the engagement as an opportunity to consolidate strategic convergence. The emphasis on technological collaboration reflects both countries’ priorities in innovation-driven growth and security partnerships.
However, some opposition voices within Israel have raised procedural concerns regarding Modi’s planned address to the Knesset. Despite these discussions, the broader diplomatic narrative remains focused on strengthening ties between two democratic nations that share overlapping security concerns and economic interests.
Modi, in his response, reiterated India’s appreciation for Israel’s partnership and highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue. His remarks signalled continuity in India’s approach — balancing strategic cooperation with broader regional engagement.
The visit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, making India’s diplomatic outreach particularly significant. Analysts suggest that Modi’s engagement reflects India’s evolving strategic posture, with deeper cooperation on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity and defence.
The technology component of the visit also carries economic implications. Collaboration in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing could shape future trade and innovation ecosystems between the two countries.
Netanyahu’s reference to an “axis of nations” aligned against radical forces indicates a broader regional framework in which India could play a more visible role. While the concept remains largely strategic rhetoric, it signals a shared focus on stability and security partnerships.
As Modi prepares to begin his Israel visit, expectations are high that the engagement will reinforce a partnership built over nearly a decade of intensified diplomatic exchanges. With defence, technology and regional security at the centre of discussions, the visit is positioned to elevate bilateral cooperation to a new strategic level.