Wed Feb 25 09:06:26 UTC 2026: ### India and Israel Deepen Strategic Ties Amid Regional Shifts

The Story:
In a recent op-ed, the Israeli ambassador to India highlights the strengthening bond between India and Israel, emphasizing shared challenges and complementary strengths. The article underscores that the relationship has deepened significantly in the past decade, particularly under the leadership of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu. This partnership has seen advancements in defense, food security, technology, and economic cooperation, culminating in a transformative year in 2025 marked by significant war efforts for Israel and India’s “Operation Sindoor” which changed the rules of the game in its neighborhood. The upcoming visit of PM Modi to Israel is expected to further solidify these ties with new agreements focusing on sensitive and emerging technologies.

Key Points:

  • India and Israel share historical similarities, including resilience against foreign invasions and challenges in their respective neighborhoods.
  • The relationship has been driven by PM Modi and PM Netanyahu, with significant progress in defense and food security since 2017 and 2018.
  • 2025 was a transformative year for bilateral relations, marked by significant war efforts for Israel and “Operation Sindoor” for India.
  • Cooperation is expanding into new areas, including increasing the Indian workforce in Israel, inviting Indian infrastructure companies into the Israeli market, and progressing towards a free trade agreement.
  • The upcoming visit of PM Modi to Israel aims to expand cooperation in sensitive and emerging technologies.

Critical Analysis:

The op-ed piece frames the India-Israel relationship as one built on shared values and common strategic interests. The reference to “Operation Sindoor” in 2025, which reportedly changed the rules of the game in India’s neighborhood, suggests a more assertive foreign policy stance by India. The timing of the visit, amidst tensions in the West Bank, indicates a strategic decision by India to maintain and strengthen ties with Israel despite regional complexities. The emphasis on technological partnerships and joint ventures reflects a broader geopolitical trend of countries seeking to build resilience and competitiveness through strategic alliances in the face of a changing global order.

Key Takeaways:

  • India and Israel are actively deepening their strategic partnership, driven by shared security concerns and economic opportunities.
  • Technological cooperation is a key focus area, leveraging Israel’s innovation hub status and India’s scaling capabilities.
  • India’s foreign policy is becoming more assertive, as indicated by “Operation Sindoor,” influencing its relationships in the region.
  • The timing of PM Modi‘s visit underscores India’s commitment to its relationship with Israel, even amidst regional instability.
  • The partnership aims to build joint resilience against global challenges and enhance competitiveness through technological collaborations.

Impact Analysis:

The strengthening of India-Israel ties has significant long-term implications. Increased cooperation in defense and technology can enhance both countries’ capabilities to address security threats and foster economic growth. The diversification of supply chains and the potential for trillions of dollars in trade moving towards West Asia, Europe, and the US will reshape regional economic dynamics. This partnership could also influence geopolitical alignments in the region, potentially impacting relationships with other countries in the Middle East and South Asia. The collaboration in sensitive and emerging technologies could give both nations a competitive edge in the global market, driving innovation and economic prosperity.

Read More