Reading East Asian diplomacy through India's timeline: What does Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel signify

2026-02-26 22:02:02

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In February 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel was announced. This visit is not just a diplomatic formality but a significant turning point that symbolizes India, the largest country in South Asia, restructuring its regional diplomacy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed expectations that Modi will deliver a speech at the Israeli Knesset during this visit, indicating that the strengthening of relations between the two countries is rapidly progressing.

Evolving Timeline of India-Israel Relations

The mutual visits of Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu symbolize a strategic shift in Indian diplomacy. After Modi’s first visit to Israel as Prime Minister in 2017, followed by Netanyahu’s visit to India in 2018, these visits outline a gradual development of India’s relationship with Israel. This upcoming visit aims to deepen these past engagements and elevate the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Ongoing Expansion of Economic and Security Cooperation

The strengthening of ties between the two countries goes beyond political goodwill, encompassing substantial cooperation in economic and security sectors. Modi and Netanyahu have emphasized the potential to further promote collaboration in three key areas: economy, diplomacy, and security during the visit. Particularly in the security domain, synergies between India’s defense industry and Israel’s advanced technologies are expected, making this timing especially significant for both nations.

The Importance of India as a Major Power in Regional Strategy

India’s diplomatic developments reflect its role as a major power in the Global South. Through strengthening relations with Israel, India aims to expand its influence in the Middle East and build a strategic partnership over time. The timeline of reciprocal visits between the leaders suggests that this relationship is not temporary but has the potential to develop into a long-term strategic alliance.

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