Modi’s Visit to Israel
By Dr. D.K. Giri
(Prof of Practice, NIIS Group of Institutions)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel has sparked geo-political controversy in addition to criticism from the Opposition at home. Prime Minister Modi is currently on a 24-hour stand-alone visit to Israel to upgrade bilateral relations. The controversy consists of timing of the visit, undermining Palestinian cause and the imminent attack on Iran by Israel and the United States. While the reactions to the visit may have a moral undertone in view of Israel’s ‘dispossession and displacement of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank’, whether Modi’s visit aligns with India’s national interests, is the question that is worth investigating.
On the timing of the visit, the criticism is that tensions are escalating in West Asia. Indians are being advised to pack-off from Iran where Israel and United States are planning air assaults. It is no secret, according to the main Opposition, Indian National Congress, that India’s strategic interests, including energy security, diaspora welfare and connectivity projects are closely tied to regional stability. India has significant energy and trade ties with Iran, and any escalation could disrupt these interests.
At the time of an impending war against Iran, Modi’s visit to Israel, one of the two warring countries, could affect ties with the former, a country that borders South Asia and has offered energy and connectivity to India for a long time. As such, under pressure from Donald Trump, Modi government had stopped importing Iranian oil since 2017. Trade and investment had declined considerably and the progress of Chahbahar Port with major Indian investment is stalled. Only the last month, New Delhi cancelled or put off a scheduled visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The second set of criticism is about Israel’s conduct in the region and India’s commitment to Palestine as an independent state. The Congress Party contends that Israel’s attacks on civilians in Gaza continue mercilessly, since the war that began two years ago, more than 70,000 were killed. Yet, “the Modi government makes cynical and hypocritical statements on its commitment to the cause of the Palestinians. The reality is that the Modi government have abandoned them”. India was among the first few countries to recognise the state of Palestine on November 18, 1988. New Delhi’s present stance marked a departure from its long-standing position.
The third allegation about Modi’s posture towards Israel is related to the conduct of Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel. He faces very serious corruption charges. Reportedly, sections of the Israeli Opposition had threatened to boycott Modi’s address to Knesset, the Parliament of Israel. The Opposition leader, Yair Lapid had specifically said that he would not attend the address unless the Supreme Court chief is invited, citing protocol. They consider it as an attempt to undermine judicial independence. This coincides with Netanyahu’s plans to extend control over more territories under the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, which has incurred international condemnation. About 100 countries signed a joint statement at the United Nations criticising Israel’s violation of International Law in seeking to expand its territories in the state of Palestine. India did sign the statement one day later than others did without explaining the reason for the delay.
India’s participation in the US “Board of Peace” as an observer will be watched as Modi talks to Netanyahu. The Board of Peace, created at the behest of USA in early 2026 for reconstruction, administration and peace-keeping of the Gaza strip. India did not join the Board as countries inimical both to Israel and India, like Pakistan and Turkey, joined the Board. India had initially refrained from sitting around the same table as Pakistan, a known sponsor of terrorism, but later agreed to join as an observer in order to maintain balance between USA ants its antagonists. In particular, India has deepened defence and technology cooperation with Israel, aligning with US strategic interests. At the same time, India’s relations with US and its allies may be impacted if New Delhi does not align with their stance on Iran.
Another possibility to watch is the proposed ‘Hexagonal Alliance’ Israel is contemplating with India, Greece, Cyprus and some unnamed Arab, African and Asian countries against both radical Sunni and Shia axes. This will be watched more closely by those countries which appear to be targeted by this alliance. They include Iran, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, each of which has historical and complex ties with India. Prime Minister Netanyahu had told his cabinet on 22 February while announcing Modi’s visit that, “the idea here is to create an axis of nations that see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges and goals against the radical axes – both Shia and the emerging Sunni.
Critics however argue that India’s shift towards Israel is driven by the desire to strengthen military and strategic ties, rather than upholding humanitarian principles. The visit is seen as a significant shift in India’s foreign policy with Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) envisioning India as a Hindu homeland, echoing Israel’s self-image as a Jewish state. Prime Minister Netanyahu described the visit as historic and path-breaking. Other countries in the region have reacted cautiously. Iran, as expected, has expressed concerns about the visit. Not to forget that Iran is a long-time ally of Palestine. Other Arab states have maintained a neutral stance. The UAE and Saudi Arabia which have been strengthening ties with India, have not publically commented on the visit. So the reaction is mixed reflecting the complex geo-politics of the Middle-East.
The potential implications of the visit at this time could be energy security risk as any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could impact India’s oil imports. New Delhi stares at the safety of over 9 million Indians in the region. The major connectivity project the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) may be affected. As usual, India maintains a neutral stance urging de-escalation and diplomacy. At the same time, India seeks to maintain ties with multiple players.
All foreign policies are conducted on the basis of respective national interests. Remember the saying by Lord Palmerstone, the former British Prime Minister, “there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests”. It is an ideal situation when interests and principles coincide. In this case, Israel has remained a friend of India for a long time. In fact, India could count on Israel more than any other country when its security is threatened. In the past, as India has been at war with Pakistan and China, it is Israel that has stood by India. In the war against China in 1962, the Soviet Union had said that India is a friend whereas China is a brother. It is Israel which supported India by supplying ammunitions etc.
Therefore, Modi’s pivot to Israel in the Arab world and elsewhere cannot be faulted. Of course, he has to balance it with a principled position, plain speaking and being a part of the solution to the protracted problem of Israel-Palestine conflict. — INFA