Khaberni - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Israel today, Wednesday, for an official visit, his second since taking office in 2014, after recording his first visit in July 2017 as the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel.
Modi said in a post on the X platform: "I am visiting Israel today and tomorrow. Our countries have a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership, and relations have significantly improved in recent years."
He added that he will hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in Gaza - and President Isaac Herzog, and will deliver a speech before the Knesset, alongside meeting the Indian community, which he described as having "made a significant contribution to strengthening the friendship between India and Israel."
The visit is expected to focus on enhancing defense cooperation and updating security agreements, amid a growing military partnership between the two countries and Israel's aspiration to expand cooperation with India, a major importer of Israeli defense technology.
Netanyahu preceded the visit by praising his Indian counterpart, describing him as a "friend," indicating that the visit represents an opportunity to "build new alliances" within the Middle East and with its environment, and expecting an update of the security agreements to allow for deeper cooperation in defense industries.
A significant shift in India's stance
The visit comes in the context of a strategic shift in Indian policy towards Israel, as New Delhi had for decades supported the Palestinian cause and did not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until 1992.
However, under Modi's era, there has been a broad rapprochement with Tel Aviv, led by enhancing security and technological cooperation.
Following the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, Modi expressed his "shock" at what he described as "terrorist attacks" just hours later, affirming India's solidarity with Israel.
He reiterated the same stance during a call with Netanyahu on October 10.
Additionally, on October 27, India refrained from voting at the United Nations in favor of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, citing that it "does not explicitly condemn the attack on Israel."
