PM Modi to Visit Israel: Netanyahu Hails "Tremendous" Alliance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel in February 2026. Benjamin Netanyahu hails the "tremendous" India-Israel alliance and discusses strategic cooperation.
Rajeev
In a major boost to West Asian diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a high-profile two-day visit to Israel on February 25–26, 2026. The announcement, which has sent ripples through the international community, was first teased by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an address to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Netanyahu’s enthusiastic confirmation highlights a "tremendous alliance" that has evolved from a buyer-seller relationship into a deep-rooted strategic partnership.
A "Tremendous" Alliance: Netanyahu’s Praise
Addressing the gathering, Netanyahu underscored the significance of the visit, noting that India's global stature is impossible to ignore.
"Who's coming here next week? Narendra Modi," Netanyahu told the crowd. "Tremendous alliance between Israel and India... India is not a small country. It has 1.4 billion people. India is enormously powerful, enormously popular."
The Israeli leader also hinted that a historic address to the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) is on the anvil, signaling the high level of protocol being extended to the Indian Prime Minister.
Key Agenda: Beyond Defence
While the 2017 visit—the first ever by an Indian PM to Israel—focused heavily on breaking the ice, the 2026 trip is expected to solidify "future-facing" sectors. Sources suggest the bilateral talks will cover:
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Artificial Intelligence & Deep Tech: Building on the "India AI Impact Summit 2026," both nations aim to co-create ethical AI frameworks.
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Defence & Cybersecurity: Shifting from mere procurement to joint development and production under the 'Make in India' initiative.
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Space & Quantum Computing: Collaborative research in satellite technology and next-gen computing.
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Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Negotiators are working to finalize the Terms of Reference for a comprehensive trade deal to boost economic exchange.
The Diplomatic Balancing Act
PM Modi’s visit comes at a delicate time for West Asian geopolitics. India continues to maintain its "calibrated approach"—supporting a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict while simultaneously strengthening ties with Tel Aviv.
Just weeks before the Israel trip, New Delhi hosted the India-Arab Foreign Ministers meeting, demonstrating its role as a stable bridge between the Western world, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East.
