PM Modi to visit Israel to boost defence, trade ties

New Delhi, 23 February : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday to strengthen bilateral defence and trade cooperation amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including strained ties between the United States and Iran.

During the visit, Modi will address Israel’s Parliament, hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and meet President Isaac Herzog.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and provide an opportunity to review shared challenges and align efforts towards strengthening cooperation between the two democracies.

Defence and security cooperation is expected to be a key focus of discussions between the two prime ministers. Netanyahu is scheduled to host a private dinner for Modi on Wednesday evening. This will be Modi’s second visit to Israel in nine years. The bilateral relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership during his first visit in July 2017. Netanyahu had visited India in January 2018.

According to the MEA, the leaders will review progress in areas such as science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and global issues, including the prevailing situation in the Middle East and developments in Gaza.

India and Israel have seen expanded cooperation in recent years, particularly in defence, scientific research, cybersecurity and innovation. Defence ties have become a significant pillar of the partnership, with Israel supplying various military platforms and systems to India.

In November last year, during a visit by India’s defence secretary to Israel, an agreement on defence cooperation was signed. India is also exploring the development of an indigenous air defence system and may examine certain technological aspects of Israel’s Iron Dome system.

Trade and investment ties have progressed steadily. During Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Israel in November, the terms of reference were signed for launching negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In September, the two sides also signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement to enhance economic cooperation.

People-to-people relations remain an important component of the partnership, with an Indian diaspora of over 41,000 in Israel. In November 2023, the two countries signed a framework agreement to facilitate temporary and legal employment of Indian workers in Israel. Since then, around 20,000 Indian workers have arrived in Israel through government and private channels, according to officials.