PM Modi concludes Israel visit, ties to be upgraded to special strategic partnership

Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu personally saw off Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tel Aviv airport as he departed for India following his two-day visit. The warm farewell highlighted the close camaraderie shared between the two leaders and the growing strategic partnership between the nations.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded his state visit to Israel, undertaken at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He noted that this is PM Modi's second visit to the country, with his first taking place nearly nine years ago. Misri added that the latest visit marks a significant milestone in India–Israel relations. "It's been a short visit, slightly over 24 hours, but it has been a very rich visit in terms of outcomes, and therefore a very productive exercise... This visit comes in the context of an effort by the Prime Minister himself to take an interest in and pursue India's relations with all the countries in West Asia," Misri added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined several key initiatives aimed at significantly deepening bilateral cooperation. He said both nations have agreed to establish a critical and emerging technology partnership that will support innovation-led growth. PM Modi welcomed the signing of an agreement enabling the use of UPI in Israel, marking a major boost for fintech collaboration. He added that the two leaders have agreed to expand cooperation in civil nuclear energy and the space sector, advance future-ready agricultural solutions, and develop villages of excellence. PM Modi also noted that India and Israel plan to conclude a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement soon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Gaza peace plan represents the path to peace and affirmed that India extends its full support to the initiative. He also said that both countries will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement as well. 

During a joint press briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Israel have taken a landmark step by deciding to elevate their longstanding relationship to a special strategic partnership. He said the move reflects the shared aspirations and growing ambitions of both nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened his joint press briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a warm "Shalom" and thanked him for the gracious welcome extended to his delegation. PM Modi reflected on his first visit to Israel nine years ago and said that returning after nearly a decade was a moment of pride. Speaking about being honoured with the Knesset Speaker’s Medal, he said, "I dedicate this award to 140 crore Indians and the India-Israel friendship."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India and Israel’s friendship as "time-tested" while highlighting that technology remains central to the partnership between the two nations. Expressing gratitude for the honour extended to him during his visit, he said it was a matter of immense pride to be in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the strength of India–Israel relations and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit has been highly productive. Reflecting on Modi’s address in the Knesset, he added that the speech was so moving that “no eye was left dry” in the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to share glimpses from his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. "Our talks were extremely fruitful and wide ranging," PM Modi wrote. 

India and Israel signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of the Indian Prime Minister in Jerusalem. PM Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu held high-level delegation-level talks in Jerusalem on Thursday.

India and Israel are set to sign a series of economic, security and diplomatic agreements after the conclusion of the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official account of Israeli PM said on Thursday. In a post on X, it further noted that after the signing of the agreements, the two leaders will deliver joint statements to the press. "At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties will sign a series of economic, security, and diplomatic agreements, after which Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi will deliver joint statements to the media", the post said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu held delegation-level discussions in Jerusalem, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of strategic cooperation. The leaders reviewed progress across defence, technology, trade and innovation partnerships as both sides sought to deepen their long-standing relationship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his 2-day state visit, highlighting the expanding strategic depth and global significance of the India-Israel partnership. During the talks, PM Modi emphasised the broad scope for cooperation, stating that ties between the two nations "in many areas can be very strong and useful for the global good".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. During the meeting, President Herzog encouraged greater academic exchange between the two countries. He urged Indian students to pursue higher education in Israel and invited Israeli students to study in India, highlighting the potential of deeper people-to-people ties.

He said that stronger connectivity between India and Israel could reshape the broader geostrategic landscape in favour of the Global South. Praising India’s achievements, Herzog noted that India leads the world in several fields and expressed excitement over the Prime Minister’s visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday invited Israeli President Isaac Herzog to India in a joint press briefing after the two leaders held bilateral talks in Tel Aviv.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Holocaust museum Yad Vashem and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He is scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog shortly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold delegation level talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on February 26.

The Prime Minister is currently on a 2 day visit to Israel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday witnessed a performance of "I Love my India" by Divyang artists in the second day of his visit to Israel.

"A memorable performance of the song “I Love My India” by a remarkable ensemble of Divyang artists, bringing together Indian-origin Jews and Israeli citizens. This beautifully celebrates the shared heritage and enduring bonds between India and Israel," he wrote in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu visited an exhibition in Jerusalem showcasing cutting edge technological innovations. The event highlighted pioneering work by Israeli youth across sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, healthcare, cyber security, water resources and agriculture.

Sharing details of the visit, PM Modi said he gained insights into innovative projects led by young Israelis in these emerging fields.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu after he surprised him by wearing traditional Indian attire, a gesture seen as reflecting his warmth towards India and its culture. Read more

On the second and final day of his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. He is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog later in the day.

PM Modi will additionally interact with members of the Indian Jewish community before emplaning for New Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the Israeli Parliament’s highest honour.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that PM Modi dedicated the medal to the enduring friendship and shared democratic values between India and Israel, according to ANI.

India is advancing towards a major strategic agreement with Israel to acquire Iron Dome technology. The plan is not a straightforward purchase but to integrate it into India’s indigenous ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’, an AI-enabled multi-layered air defence programme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2025.

Tel Aviv has formally offered to transfer the technology to New Delhi under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

India is considering Israel’s Iron Beam laser system as a ‘light speed’ and cost-effective defence solution against hostile munitions. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, the system is a 100 kW class high-energy laser weapon designed to intercept aerial threats such as rockets, drones and mortars through directed energy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a ‘Hexagon of Alliances’, urging India to become part of the grouping. The concept envisions a strategic bloc comprising India, Arab nations, African countries and Mediterranean partners such as Greece and Cyprus, aimed at strengthening cooperation across sectors. It also seeks to counter threats posed by Iran and extremist networks. Read more