India stands with ‘Israel’ with “full conviction”: Modi says to Knesset

• In an address to the Knesset, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed that India stands "firmly" with ‘Israel’ following the October 7 events, reinforcing a "natural foundation" for a partnership centered on high-tech synergies in AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing.
• Amid domestic criticism regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the visit focused on finalizing a Free Trade Agreement and expanding a massive defense partnership—estimated at up to $10 billion—which includes the joint development of laser-based "Iron Beam" systems and ballistic missile defenses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told lawmakers in Jerusalem on Wednesday that India stands "firmly" with ‘Israel’ following the events of October 7, 2023.

Modi also met with ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a two-day visit aimed at deepening trade and defence ties that has drawn criticism at home.

"I... carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7," Modi said in the Knesset, the ‘Israeli’ parliament.

"We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond."

In his speech, Modi did not explicitly mention the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza during the more than two-year assault on Gaza.

But he said that India "supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability".

Modi also told ‘Israeli’ lawmakers that his country's economic growth and ‘Israel's’ leadership in technological innovation formed a "natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership".

"I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence," he added.

It is Modi's second visit to ‘Israel’ as prime minister since he took office in 2014.

“A real friendship”

Earlier on Wednesday, a red carpet was rolled out at ‘Israel's’ Ben Gurion airport and Modi was greeted with a hug by Netanyahu as he disembarked the plane.

"The two leaders share a special and a personal relationship," Shosh Bedrosian, spokeswoman for Netanyahu's office, said in a video posted on X.

"The bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance as we are partners in innovation, security and a shared strategic vision," she added.

Netanyahu's office said the two right-wing leaders held a private meeting after the welcoming ceremony, with the ‘Israeli’ premier hailing "a real friendship".

In a post on X, Modi described the meeting as "excellent".

"We discussed a wide range of topics aimed at deepening and strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries," he said.

The pair "held an in-depth conversation about major developments in the region", he added.

Modi is also scheduled to meet ‘Israeli’ President Isaac Herzog during the visit.

New Delhi has steadily expanded cooperation with ‘Israel’ across the defence, agriculture, technology and cybersecurity sectors, while balancing diplomatic interests in the Middle East.

Talks opened in New Delhi on Monday for an India-‘Israel’ Free Trade Agreement (FTA), India's government said in a statement, noting that merchandise trade reached $3.62 billion in 2024-2025.

Full diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. Ties deepened after Hindu-nationalist leader Modi took office in 2014.

Criticism at home

Modi first visited ‘Israel’ as prime minister in 2017, before Netanyahu made a reciprocal visit to India the following year.

In 2023, grand plans were unveiled in New Delhi for an India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor -- to link railways, ports, electricity, data networks and pipelines, including through Saudi Arabia and ‘Israel’.

Those plans were stalled by the events of October 7.

Months after his 2017 visit to ‘Israel’, Modi travelled to Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority.

His current visit has sparked criticism at home.

Senior Congress party figure Priyanka Gandhi -- sister of opposition leader Rahul -- posted on social media on Wednesday that she hoped Modi would mention the killing of "thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza" during his address to the ‘Israeli’ parliament.

India, the world's most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, is majority Hindu, but an estimated 220 million Indians are Muslim.

One of India's largest conglomerates, Adani Group, operates the ‘Israeli’ port of Haifa, while ‘Israeli’ military drone technology played a pivotal role during India's May 2025 clash with Pakistan.