Taking Sides: On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit to Israel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief 24-hour trip to Jerusalem represented an important bilateral outreach towards Israel, yet it appeared to be a missed chance with regard to Palestine, carrying complicated implications for India’s relations in West Asia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared the proposed visit in December and reconfirmed the schedule on Sunday, signalling Israel’s strong enthusiasm to receive Mr. Modi. From the moment Mr. Modi arrived until his departure, Mr. Netanyahu personally accompanied him at every engagement. Following bilateral discussions on Thursday, both leaders decided to elevate their relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership” and executed more than 15 Memoranda of Understanding, including a significant agreement on critical technologies covering artificial intelligence, agriculture, culture and education. They further consented to enable the employment of 50,000 Indian workers in Israel over the coming five years. The intensity of engagement, along with Mr. Netanyahu’s pronounced appreciation for Mr. Modi and India-Israel relations, exceeded even the warmth displayed during Mr. Modi’s 2017 visit. This may be attributed to the timing of the visit, as Israel currently confronts increasing international isolation due to mounting casualties in Gaza and Mr. Netanyahu’s settlement initiatives in the West Bank.
Over the preceding week, Israel’s West Bank proposals attracted condemnation from numerous countries, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which had previously adopted relatively measured positions. Mr. Netanyahu is approaching national elections later this year, widely viewed as a referendum on his tenure, encompassing allegations of corruption within his administration as well as accountability for security failures in 2023 and the civilian casualties arising from Israel’s military response. Mr. Modi’s presence may provide political reinforcement to him. In his address to the Knesset, Mr. Modi made only indirect reference to Palestinian sovereignty, stating that the U.S.-led Gaza Peace Initiative, which endorses a two-state solution, “offers the prospect of a fair and enduring peace… including through addressing the Palestine issue.” The Prime Minister expressed that India shared the sorrow and anguish over every life lost in the October 2023 Hamas terrorist attack but did not refer to the substantial death toll — exceeding 72,000 — resulting from Israeli strikes in Gaza thereafter.
It is anticipated that Mr. Modi may further articulate India’s position on the conflict, as he had done following his previous visit, possibly by undertaking a subsequent trip to Palestine. His decision to travel during a period marked by potential U.S. military action against Iran entailed the possible perception of aligning with one side in the event of escalation. Beyond bilateral considerations, the broader consequences of the visit will be evaluated internationally based on its impact across the wider West Asian region. Firstly, his statement that the India-Israel-UAE grouping and the India-Israel-UAE-U.S. “I2U2” framework would regain momentum, alongside the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), suggests New Delhi’s assessment that regional cooperative mechanisms remain feasible despite prevailing polarisation and recent geopolitical fractures. Secondly, any unequivocal decision to “stand firmly with Israel” could potentially affect India’s relations with other West Asian nations, which expect India to maintain its traditionally balanced regional approach and uphold the principles of peace, ethical responsibility and humanitarian sensitivity in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
