Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel this week, marking a significant moment in the increasingly close relationship between the two nations. The trip comes nine years after Modi’s first visit in 2017, a journey hailed as “path-breaking” and the first by an Indian prime minister to the country.
An Ideological Alliance
India historically advocated for Palestine, opposing the United Nations’ 1947 partition plan and becoming one of the first non-Arab states to recognize Palestine in 1988. However, the end of the Cold War prompted a shift in New Delhi’s calculations, leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992.
Since then, defense ties have become central to the relationship, expanding in recent years. Modi’s rise to power in 2014 further accelerated this shift, fueled by the ideological alignment between his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Israel’s vision as a Jewish homeland. Both Modi and Israel identify “Islamic terrorism” as a major threat.
Under Modi, India has become Israel’s largest weapons buyer. In 2024, Indian firms sold Israel rockets and explosives during its war on Gaza, according to reports. A memorandum of understanding has been signed to deepen defense ties, including potential joint development of anti-ballistic missile defense systems. Modi is also scheduled to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
The July 2017 Visit
Modi’s 2017 visit was a watershed moment, breaking with the previous practice of Indian diplomats pairing Israel visits with engagements in the Palestinian territory. He did not visit Palestine until 2018, after hosting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in New Delhi.
The 2017 visit has recently come under scrutiny following the release of emails from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which showed the late financier advising a billionaire close to Modi during the trip. India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed these claims as “trashy ruminations.”
Since the 2017 visit, trade between the two nations has grown from $200 million in 1992 to over $6 billion in 2024. India is Israel’s second-largest Asian trading partner, with a Bilateral Investment Treaty signed in September and negotiations ongoing for a free trade deal.
Over the Horizon, a Different Middle East?
Despite its close ties with Israel, New Delhi continues to call for a two-state solution and peace through dialogue regarding Palestine, but has been increasingly hesitant to criticize Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territory. India’s historical support for Palestine is rooted in its non-alignment movement and the views of its independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi, who opposed the creation of Israel.
India now refers to its approach as “strategic autonomy,” maintaining good relations with Israel, Arab powers, and Iran. However, pressure from the United States led India to stop buying oil from Iran and scale back its involvement in the Chabahar port development project.
Analysts suggest India may be anticipating a Middle East where Iran’s influence is diminished, potentially allowing Israel to emerge as a regional hegemon. Modi’s visit could also be seen as an effort to strengthen ties with the United States, with Israel potentially serving as an influential intermediary.
With several Western leaders having visited Israel since the start of the war in Gaza, Modi’s trip stands out as one of the few from the Global South, signaling Israel is not fully isolated.
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