PM Modi's second official visit to Israel begins today, i.e., 25th February 2026. His first visit to Israel was in July 2017. Following the Prime Minister’s visit in 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to India on a five-day visit beginning January 14, 2018. The current two-day trip comes at a pivotal moment in West Asian geopolitics and is expected to yield a range of strategic and defence decisions that could significantly shape the trajectory of one of India’s most consequential bilateral relationships.
India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, and the partnership has grown steadily since then across trade, technology, agriculture, water management and defence. Modi’s first visit to Israel in July 2017 was historic, as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to the country. Netanyahu’s reciprocal visit to India in January 2018 further cemented what has increasingly evolved into a partnership of strategic depth.
Bilateral trade has reflected this growing closeness, though recent headwinds have taken a toll. In FY 2024–2025, trade between the two nations fell to US$ 3.75 billion, down from previous highs, largely due to regional security disruptions. India’s exports to Israel stood at USD 2.1 billion, while imports were valued at USD 1.6 billion. Both sides are expected to use this visit to explore avenues for restoring and expanding economic momentum.
Ahead of Modi’s arrival, Netanyahu struck a warm and ambitious tone. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, the Israeli Prime Minister described Modi as a “dear friend” and called the visit historic. In a post on X, he spoke of a “powerful alliance between two global leaders,” highlighting close cooperation between India and Israel in innovation, security and a shared strategic vision for the region and beyond. What began as a pragmatic partnership rooted in defence procurement and agricultural technology has now evolved into a broader strategic alignment.
Perhaps the most consequential idea emerging ahead of the summit is Netanyahu’s proposal for a “Hexagon of Alliances,” a six-nation framework within or around West Asia aligning economic, diplomatic and security cooperation. According to Netanyahu, the grouping would include India, Greece and Cyprus as core participants, alongside other unnamed Arab, African and Asian nations sharing similar strategic concerns. The vision aims to create a structured counterweight to what he termed a “radical axis.”
Israel considers Shia Iran its principal adversary, while Iran has repeatedly issued threats against Israel. Interestingly, Israel and Iran once maintained strong bilateral economic and social relations, particularly during the reign of the Shah of Iran. The 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini transformed this relationship, turning Iran into a strong Shia power amid predominantly Sunni Arab nations. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology and enhanced military capabilities further deepened tensions, resulting in the current state of existential rivalry between the two countries.
The geopolitical environment is also shaped by the long-standing pro-Israel orientation of U.S. foreign policy, influenced in part by strong domestic political support for Israel. Amid perceived unpredictability in Donald Trump’s economic, defence and foreign policy approaches, Israel appears keen to initiate an independent regional grouping with India’s participation.
As outlined by Netanyahu, the proposed framework would rest on three pillars: economic cooperation through trade and technology partnerships; diplomatic alignment on key regional and global issues; and security collaboration involving intelligence sharing, defence cooperation and coordinated responses to threats. Observers have compared the idea to the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), with Netanyahu suggesting the Hexagon could institutionalise cooperation among like-minded states in a similar structured manner.
For India, the visit represents careful yet purposeful diplomacy. New Delhi has historically followed a policy of strategic autonomy, maintaining relations with Israel, the Gulf states and Iran without formally aligning with any bloc. India’s response to the Hexagon proposal will therefore be closely watched across the region and globally.
The visit also underscores how the India–Israel relationship has matured beyond quiet cooperation. Discussions between Modi and Netanyahu are expected to cover defence procurement, cybersecurity, technology partnerships and broader questions of regional stability in a post-conflict West Asia. As the two leaders meet in Jerusalem, their conversations are likely to focus not only on agreements but also on shaping future geopolitical realities.
The outcomes of the bilateral talks are expected to be announced at a joint press engagement before Modi departs on February 26. Meanwhile, Israel is scheduled to hold elections in October 2026 at a time of deep internal divisions and mounting international pressure. The results could significantly influence Israel’s domestic politics, its policies toward Gaza and the West Bank, and its global diplomatic positioning.
For Netanyahu, building a regional forum addressing challenges posed by Iran, regional rivalries and militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis may carry electoral significance. In this context, India’s participation assumes added importance. However, India maintains strong relations not only with Israel but also with Iran and Arab nations, while continuing to support the Palestinian cause and advocating a negotiated settlement.
Prime Minister Modi therefore faces a delicate balancing act: strengthening defence and economic ties with Israel, continuing infrastructure cooperation such as the Chabahar project in Iran, maintaining close engagement with Arab countries and ensuring the safety of Indian nationals across West Asia. India must also avoid becoming entangled in regional Shia-Sunni rivalries unique to the region.
At this critical juncture, Modi’s visit is highly significant. While challenges remain, India is expected to navigate them through calibrated diplomacy, reinforcing its position as a rising global power engaged across regions while preserving strategic independence.
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