Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on February 25 for a two-day state visit, marking a significant diplomatic milestone as he prepares to address the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament — a first for any Indian Prime Minister. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally received Modi at Tel Aviv airport, echoing the symbolic welcome seen during the landmark 2017 visit.
The visit began with an official reception at the airport, followed by scheduled bilateral talks between the two leaders. Over the next two days, the agenda includes strategic discussions, a private dinner, a visit to the Holocaust museum, an address to the Indian diaspora and Modi’s historic speech at the Knesset. Officials described the visit as wide-ranging, covering defence, agriculture, technology, water management and regional security cooperation.
On-Ground Moments and Visuals
Early visuals from Tel Aviv showed ceremonial greetings and warm exchanges between Modi and Netanyahu, underlining the personal rapport often highlighted in India-Israel ties. Diplomatic sources indicated strong diaspora turnout is expected during Modi’s public engagement, reflecting growing people-to-people links.
Official Statements
Government officials framed the visit as a continuation of strategic partnership building that began years earlier. Diplomatic briefings emphasised cooperation in agriculture, innovation, desalination technology and food security. The visit also signals deeper collaboration in emerging sectors such as AI, cyber security and start-up ecosystems.
Background and Previous Engagements
Modi’s engagement with Israel dates back to 2006 when, as Gujarat Chief Minister, he led a delegation to Agritech 2006, focusing on irrigation and water efficiency. The “Per Drop More Crop” approach later became central to India’s national micro-irrigation programme.
His 2017 trip marked the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel and produced several defining moments, including joint technology demonstrations and agricultural cooperation agreements. That visit institutionalised a three-year agricultural work programme and strengthened government-to-government partnerships in irrigation and water reuse.
Why This Visit Matters
The 2026 visit arrives amid shifting global geopolitics and rising emphasis on food security, climate resilience and technological collaboration. Israel’s expertise in water management and precision agriculture aligns closely with India’s large-scale development needs. Strategically, the visit reinforces defence cooperation and innovation partnerships while signalling continuity in India’s West Asia diplomacy.
At the global level, the trip highlights how mid-sized technology powers like Israel and large developing economies like India are deepening cooperation to address climate stress, supply chain disruptions and regional security challenges.
What Comes Next
Officials expect announcements around joint research initiatives, agricultural partnerships and innovation exchanges. Modi’s Knesset address is likely to outline the future roadmap of the bilateral relationship, with emphasis on sustainability, technology and strategic cooperation.