The Meeting that Marked a Milestone

Modi’s Israel Visit: Yad Vashem and Stronger Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel from February 25 to 26, 2026, was a significant moment in bilateral relations. His tribute at Yad Vashem and important diplomatic meetings stood out. This trip strengthened India-Israel ties into a "Special Strategic Partnership," building on years of cooperation in defense, technology, and innovation. The US wants to ensure that Iran does not gain nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles that can strike as far as deep into the Middle East and Europe. To support its deterrence policy, it has launched one of its largest military buildups in the Middle East since Iraq. U.S. diplomats, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

Visit Highlights: 

Modi became the first Indian PM to speak at Israel’s Knesset, where he denounced the October 7 Hamas attack, supported a UN-led Gaza peace plan, and stressed joint anti terrorism intent. The two leaders inked 16 agreements on civil nuclear energy, space, agri tech, defense, and hastened a Free Trade Agreement. Modi also got the Knesset Speaker Medal.

Modi at Yad Vashem: Standing with Memory: 

February 26, Jerusalem; PM Modi and Netanyahu pay tribute to the 6 million victims of the Holocaust at Israel’s holiest site.

In a profoundly emotional visit:

• He turns the pages of the Book of Names, inscribing lives into eternity.

• Lays a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance, his head bowed in reverence.

• Lights the eternal flame, its flickering flames a tribute to the lost.

• Listens with rapt attention to the raw testimony of survivors.

The Indian gesture of solidarity shone like a beacon in the darkness of genocide.

Why Historic:

Known as historic for improving relations following visits in 2017/2018, PM Modi’s Knesset speech marked the first by an Indian PM, and built a personal relationship through “PM Modi hugs.” It furthered strategic agreements in the face of West Asia turmoil, solidifying innovation and security partnerships without Palestinian talks, indicating a balanced India in the Middle East. By prioritizing joint prosperity, this strengthens India’s standing in international politics.

India-Israel Ties:

Relations, formalized in 1992, grew from arms aid in Kargil 1999 to the booming tech defense trade. Current MoUs include AI, cyber, and the IMEC corridor, promoting economic resilience. The Hindu and other current coverage today highlight this revival, where Modi and Netanyahu’s chemistry is the key to success. Relations flourish with a shared innovation culture, making both a balance against regional instability. India’s position on Iran’s nuclear program is balanced as it supports the resolution of the issue through dialogue. It also believes that Iran has the right to nuclear power for peaceful purposes. It supports the full implementation of the JCPOA and UNSC resolutions. It hopes for positive developments through diplomatic efforts, although talks are stalled. This allows India to maintain good relations with both Iran and Israel, as it urges de-escalation of tensions between the two countries without taking an outright position against Iran’s uranium enrichment, as the West is. India imports more than 35% of its crude oil and 42% of its LNG through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Any Iranian proxy action to disrupt this would be a direct threat to its security. It is diversifying its oil imports, developing its strategic oil reserves, and looking for alternative routes to circumvent the Strait of Hormuz. Although India believes Iranian proxies like Hezbollah are destabilizing forces, it maintains its “close and friendly relations” with both Iran and Israel. It is attempting to mediate between the two. It has been called a “historic friend” by Iran despite its ties with Israel’s PM Modi.

India's de-hyphenation policy is to deal with both Israel and Palestine independently, without any connection between the two nations. This has been in place since PM Narendra Modi took over in 2014, allowing India to have close defense and technology relations with Israel while supporting Palestinian state formation. India has traditionally followed the de-hyphenation policy between Israel and Palestine to not offend the Arab nations in the region by grouping both nations together in its relations. 

However, in 2017, PM Modi ended this by visiting Israel independently, focusing on India's national interests. The de-hyphenation policy has provided India with pragmatic benefits in its relations with both Israel and Palestine, allowing for the signing of the I2U2 deal between India, Israel, the UAE, and the US for investments in the region, thereby promoting strategic autonomy in its relations with West Asian nations. PM Modi's recent visit to Israel in February 2026, addressing the Israeli parliament, is a continuation of the de-hyphenation policy between the two nations, indicating the high level of trust between the two nations.

Israel’s Role: 

Threats of nuclear attacks from hostile regional forces are an existential threat for Israel. It is following a policy of deterrence and prevention. In June 2025, Israel launched airstrikes targeting the nuclear ambitions of its neighbors. Its strong strategic relationship with the U.S. is a source of tension in West Asia because any military action taken in the region by the two would trigger a conflict in the region. India’s defense and technology relationship with Israel and its emerging strategic relationship with the U.S. are complemented by its relationship with West Asia in terms of its energy needs and the presence of a large Indian diaspora in the region. The country considers the nuclear threats from its adversaries in the region an existential threat and is following a policy of deterrence and preventive action. In June 2025, the country conducted airstrikes in the region in a move to delay the development of nuclear weapons. The strong relationship between the US and Israel in the region makes the situation tense because any move by the two in the region may trigger a conflict in West Asia.

India’s Position: 

India’s position is guided by its multiple interests, including energy security, citizen safety, defence relations, and geopolitical balances. India is neither siding with one country nor the other, but rather opting for a peaceful settlement of issues through dialogue. Unlike some of the Gulf nations, India maintains relations with Iran, Israel, and the U.S. India received a considerable portion of its oil supplies from Iran historically. The conflict is a threat to energy security, hence forcing India to explore alternative energy sources. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz would adversely affect India’s economy, considering increased oil costs. India has advised its citizens to exercise caution and, if necessary, leave Iran. India is strengthening its relations with Israel, including defence, cyber, and agriculture cooperation. India’s relations with Israel are a plus for its security, but this also impacts its relations with Iran.

Why India’s Role is Important:

Energy Security: New conflicts will jeopardize India’s energy supplies through these crucial trade routes.

• Trade Routes: India’s Middle Eastern relations remain crucial for its trade and exports.

• Diplomatic Balance: India’s close relations with Israel give it an upper hand in the region.

• Global South Leadership: India’s balanced stance will help it play the role of a mediator in the region.

From the perspective of India, the relationship with the US and Israel is important for the country’s energy and trade routes, while also providing strategic autonomy. The close relationship between India and Israel, covering defense technologies, innovations, and IMEC, combined with the strategic alignment with the US, allows India to balance its stance in the region without taking sides in the conflict, thereby increasing its influence in de-escalating tensions in the region. Ultimately, India’s complex web of relations makes it an essential balancer in the region, where power is in a state of flux.