PM Modi likely to visit Israel on Feb 25, set for talks with Netanyahu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Israel around February 25 for a two-day trip that will include bilateral talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an address to the Knesset, and meetings with business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora, according to official sources.

The anticipated visit was publicly flagged by Netanyahu during his remarks at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations on Sunday.

“Parliament address on the anvil. Who’s coming here next week? Narendra Modi… Tremendous alliance between Israel and India, and we are going to discuss all sorts of cooperation,” Netanyahu said, underscoring the warmth in ties between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. He further described India as “enormously powerful” and “enormously popular.”

While the detailed programme is still being finalised, diplomatic sources indicated that Modi’s engagements are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in defence, technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, and trade.

India and Israel have steadily deepened their strategic partnership over the past decade, expanding collaboration across security, cybersecurity, start-up ecosystems, and critical technologies.

The visit comes at a sensitive geopolitical moment. India has consistently advocated for a two-state solution and has expressed support for peace efforts related to the Gaza conflict.

At the same time, New Delhi has maintained close strategic and defence relations with Israel, balancing its West Asia policy amid evolving regional dynamics.

Observers see the trip as a reaffirmation of India’s multi-aligned diplomatic approach, engaging key partners while continuing to call for de-escalation and dialogue.

Modi’s expected address to the Knesset is likely to highlight shared democratic values, counterterrorism cooperation, and the growing people-to-people connection between the two nations.

The Prime Minister is also expected to meet leading Israeli business executives and innovators, reflecting India’s interest in boosting investment flows, joint ventures, and technology partnerships.

India–Israel economic ties have witnessed notable growth, with bilateral trade diversifying beyond traditional sectors such as diamonds and chemicals into areas like electronics, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Israeli companies have increasingly participated in India’s technology, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors, while Indian firms have expanded their footprint in Israel’s innovation-driven industries.

The trip would mark Modi’s latest high-profile diplomatic outreach to West Asia. His previous visits to the region have emphasised India’s role as a key economic and strategic partner, as well as its large expatriate community’s contribution to bilateral relations.

Netanyahu’s proposed visit to India, which had been under discussion earlier, has remained on hold since 2023 following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent regional tensions. Analysts suggest Modi’s visit could inject renewed momentum into top-level exchanges and bilateral initiatives.

An official announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs is awaited.