PM Modi announces special strategic partnership between India and Israel: 'Our ties have stood test of time'

PM Modi speaking at a joint press meeting with Netanyahu in Israel.

• India and Israel upgrade ties to Special Strategic Partnership
• Both nations sign 16 agreements, focus on tech and defence
• India's UPI to be introduced in Israel, free trade talks underway

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday that India and Israel have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership. The two sides also finalised agreements across key sectors, including critical technologies and defence.

“After nine years, visiting Israel again is a moment of pride for me. Yesterday, I was conferred the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’. I dedicate this honour to 140 crore Indians and to the enduring friendship between India and Israel,” he said.

PM Modi said India-Israel relationship is built on a strong foundation of deep trust, shared democratic values, and humanitarian sensibilities. "Our ties have stood the test of time. Today, we have taken the historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership," he said.

The two countries signed 16 agreements and made 11 announcements, resulting in a total of 27 significant bilateral outcomes.

PM Modi said both sides will establish cooperation in critical and emerging technologies to drive innovation. Highlighting defence as a key pillar of bilateral ties

PM Modi also announced an agreement to introduce the use of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, and said both sides would work toward concluding a mutually beneficial free trade agreement.

“India and Israel are absolutely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form or manifestation. We have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters, and we will continue to do so,” he said.

PM Modi also expressed support for the Gaza Peace Plan by the United States. He said India firmly holds that humanity must not bear the consequences of conflict. Referring to the Gaza Peace Plan, he said it has opened a pathway toward peace and reiterated that India has supported such efforts. He added that India will continue to pursue dialogue and work with all nations to advance enduring stability and peace.

Netanyahu  also announced that the two sides have decided to hold a G2G meeting in India and said, “As soon as we can arrange it, we would like to take the distinguished ministers who are here.”