PM Modi in Israel for two days: What's on agenda and why the visit matters for India | Explained

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

Prime Minister Modi begins a two-day visit to Israel, focusing on defence, technology, and trade talks amid regional tensions. Key highlights include FTA negotiations, expanded defence cooperation, and discussions on Netanyahu’s “Hexagon of Alliances” framework.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Israel on Tuesday, February 25, marking his second trip to the country after the landmark 2017 visit that reset India-Israel ties.

The visit comes at a sensitive moment in West Asia, following the Gaza war and amid shifting regional security dynamics. It also coincides with renewed momentum in India-Israel economic engagement, including the launch of free trade agreement negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the visit as historic and has repeatedly referred to Modi as a “dear friend”, underscoring the personal rapport between the two leaders.

Modi-Netanyahu talks and Knesset address on schedule

According to News18, Modi will hold extensive discussions with Netanyahu covering defence cooperation, regional security, technology partnerships and trade.

A key highlight of the visit will be Modi’s address to the Knesset, a rare honour reserved for select world leaders and a strong signal of the political importance Israel attaches to the relationship.

The two sides are also expected to sign agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture, water management and advanced technologies.

Netanyahu’s ‘Hexagon of Alliances’ in focus

Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu has put the spotlight on his proposed “Hexagon of Alliances”, a six-nation strategic framework involving countries in and around West Asia, with India identified as a central pillar.

“This morning, at the opening of our Cabinet meeting, I spoke about the historic visit of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Israel this coming Wednesday,” Netanyahu wrote on X.

Calling India and Israel a “powerful alliance between two global leaders”, Netanyahu said the two countries share a strategic vision and are partners in innovation and security.

Explaining the concept, Netanyahu was quoted by The Times of Israel as saying, “In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within West Asia.”

He added that the grouping would bring together nations that “see eye to eye on the reality, challenges, and goals against the radical axes”, referring to Iran and its regional proxies.

While Israel is keen to bring India formally into this architecture, New Delhi is expected to approach the proposal cautiously, balancing its close ties with Gulf countries and Iran.

Defence cooperation a key pillar

Defence cooperation is expected to be a major pillar of Modi’s talks in Jerusalem.

India and Israel are already close defence partners, with Israel emerging as one of India’s top arms suppliers. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Israel accounted for 13 percent of India’s military hardware imports between 2020 and 2024.

During the visit, discussions are expected on joint development of anti-ballistic missile shields, laser weapons, drones and long-range stand-off missiles. Cooperation on advanced systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow is also likely to be expanded.

Defence ties between the two countries date back to the 1962 war with China and have deepened significantly under successive Indian governments.

From cautious contact to strategic embrace

As highlighted in a separate News18 report, Modi’s Israel visit caps nearly two decades of steadily warming ties.

India formally recognised Israel in 1950 but kept engagement low-profile for decades due to domestic and regional sensitivities. The relationship began to change in the early 2000s, with security cooperation expanding quietly.

Modi’s 2017 visit marked a turning point, making him the first Indian prime minister to travel to Israel. Since then, cooperation has widened across defence, technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.

Over 1,00,000 Jews of Indian origin live in Israel today, while the Paradesi Synagogue in Kochi stands as a reminder of centuries-old civilisational links.

FTA talks add economic weight to the visit

The visit also coincides with the launch of negotiations for an India-Israel Free Trade Agreement, adding an important economic dimension to the diplomatic engagement.

“The first round of negotiations for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commenced on February 23, 2026 in New Delhi, and is scheduled to take place until February 26, 2026,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

The negotiations follow the signing of the terms of reference in November last year. The talks cover market access for goods, elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers, trade in services, investment facilitation, customs simplification, technology transfer and intellectual property rights.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the pact offers major opportunities in innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture and services.

India’s chief negotiator is Ajay Bhadoo, while Israel’s chief negotiator is Yifat Alon Perel.

Trade slump adds urgency

The renewed push for an FTA comes at a time when bilateral trade has dipped sharply.

India’s exports to Israel fell 52 percent to USD 2.14 billion in 2024-25, while imports declined 26.2 percent to USD 1.48 billion. Total bilateral trade stood at USD 3.62 billion.

India remains Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia. Trade is dominated by diamonds, petroleum products and chemicals, though high-tech machinery, medical equipment and communications systems have gained traction in recent years.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said in November in Tel Aviv, “The FTA will open the doors for greater market access, flow of capital, both in goods and services, remove obstacles in doing business, provide clarity and predictability to our economic engagement.”