India's Modi makes his second official visit to Israel to meet with Netanyahu

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening ties with a key trade and defence partner, a trip that has drawn criticism at home.

It is Modi's second visit to Israel as prime minister.

Modi has said he would hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, and would address the Israeli parliament on Wednesday evening.

Standing on the podium, the prime minister delivered a message of "friendship, respect and partnership" to Israel.

"Our nations share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership," Modi wrote on X. "Ties have significantly strengthened in the last few years."

Netanyahu referred to himself and Modi as "personal friends" when he announced the visit earlier this week, and the visit is likely to give Israel a boost of international support after seeing relations with many of its allies deteriorate since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war in October 2023.

In addition to being a powerful ally, India is also Israel's No. 2 trading partner in Asia. Total trade between India and Israel was valued at $3.62 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, according to India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Modi became India's first prime minister to travel to Israel in 2017, and Netanyahu reciprocated with a trip to India the following year.

Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting Sunday that economic and security issues will be high on the leaders' agenda, as will sharing technology, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

"We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision," Netanyahu said on the social platform X ahead of Modi's arrival. "Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress."

Modi's embrace of Israel has marked a shift in India's foreign policy. India has historically supported the Palestinians and did not establish full diplomatic ties with Israel until 1992.

A staunch Hindu nationalist, Modi was one of the first global leaders to swiftly express solidarity with Israel following the 7 October attacks.

India was also among more than 100 countries earlier this month to condemn Israel's newly approved measures to deepen its control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.