Modi’s Israel Visit Amidst Regional Tensions and Strengthening Alliances
Jerusalem – Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day state visit to Israel on Wednesday, , aiming to deepen cooperation in defense, technology, trade, and strategic areas. The visit comes at a sensitive juncture, marked by heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, and complex geopolitical dynamics in the wider West Asian region.
The timing of Modi’s visit, as noted by several observers, is no accident. It underscores India’s commitment to partners with whom it shares deep strategic and geopolitical alignment, both in the near and long term. According to reports, the visit signifies the consolidation of a broader regional axis confronting both Shiite and Sunni radicalism, stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Modi at the airport in Tel Aviv, mirroring the reception given during Modi’s historic 2017 visit – a milestone in the evolving partnership between the two nations. The two leaders are expected to travel together to Jerusalem, where they will engage in a series of meetings and events, including bilateral talks, a joint address to the Knesset, and a private dinner.
The agenda for the visit is ambitious, encompassing discussions on defense and security, labor and trade, artificial intelligence, technology, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project. The outcomes, however, are expected to extend beyond specific agreements, carrying symbolic weight and signaling a clear message to the region.
A key aspect of the strengthening relationship between India and Israel is the emergence of a wider network of aligned nations. This emerging axis includes India, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Somaliland, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece, all working in coordination with the United States and the European Union to promote stability, infrastructure development, and new trade corridors. The development of the port of Berbera in Somaliland, actively supported by the UAE and Ethiopia, exemplifies this collaborative effort to integrate the Horn of Africa into new trade routes.
However, the geopolitical landscape remains complex. Alongside this emerging alignment, other actors – including Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and China – continue to shape the strategic environment, sometimes maintaining ties with Washington even as they pursue alternative partnerships. The situation in Somaliland, with some states supporting the federal government in Mogadishu, illustrates the competing interests at play.
Netanyahu has publicly emphasized the importance of strengthening alliances, describing India as a “gigantic power.” The visit is expected to reinforce this sentiment and pave the way for increased collaboration on a range of issues. Both nations unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, a shared stance that further solidifies their strategic partnership.
The visit also takes place against the backdrop of Netanyahu’s “hexagonal alliance plans” and reported U.S. Threats to attack Iran, adding further complexity to the geopolitical optics. These factors underscore the delicate balance Modi must navigate as he seeks to deepen ties with Israel while maintaining India’s broader regional interests.
The visit is expected to reaffirm the “strategic intimacy” that has quietly developed between India and Israel, an alliance forged in crisis and now worth billions of dollars. It represents a significant moment in the evolution of their relationship and a signal of India’s growing role on the global stage.
