Former Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon says India-Israel ties go beyond leaders ahead of PM Modi’s visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26.

• India-Israel ties rooted in shared values, not just leaders
• Modi's visit to Israel highlights deepening multi-sectoral ties
• Future cooperation and regional alliances may be discussed

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his State visit to Israel on February 25-26, former Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon underlined that ties between the two countries go far beyond individual leaders, rooted instead in shared values and long-standing cooperation.

Carmon stressed that while leadership chemistry exists, the foundation of the relationship lies in broader engagement. "No one can deny the fact that the two leaders speak the same language. But others also do. I prefer to look at the relationship, and the process that started even before we had diplomatic relations is an issue of between governments and peoples and not between specific leaders, without ignoring the fact that they speak the same language and have similar points of view and interests," he said.

He pointed out that the partnership has evolved over decades, long before formal diplomatic ties, reflecting alignment at multiple levels.

Tracing the trajectory of bilateral relations, Carmon noted a shift from low-profile engagement to visible and multi-sectoral cooperation. "First, it was under the radar and it was discreet, then it became visible in 2014, much in the defence sector, but also in other sectors that benefit the governments and the peoples of both countries... The content of the relationship has deepened and enlarged by far and in an unprecedented way," he said.

He emphasised that what began with limited visibility has now expanded significantly, encompassing several domains that directly impact both nations.

According to Carmon, Modi’s visit will underscore the strength of existing ties while also opening discussions on future cooperation. "The two countries have built very sound and strong bases for the bilateral. This is what will be celebrated during the visit," he remarked.

The visit comes at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and marks Modi’s second trip to Israel. His earlier visit in 2017 was historic, as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to the country.

Carmon also indicated that evolving global dynamics could encourage broader partnerships involving both nations. "But there might be a look beyond in a world which is so shaken and in a new world order. Local ad hoc regional alliances will be more than welcome today and in the future. It could be a reality, and it might be in the conversation tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, that the two leaders and the two governments will speak about the possibility of joining hands together with other parties," he said.

He cited initiatives such as IMEC and I2U2 as frameworks that could bring India and Israel closer to other partners. "We have the IMEC, which is important to India. We have the I2U2 and maybe other architecture relationships that would put the good guys on one hand and the bad guys on the other. And India and Israel are definitely on the right side of the good guys," he added.

Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office shared a video highlighting key moments of engagement between Netanyahu and Modi, recalling past visits and their evolving partnership.