What Happened
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a state visit to Israel from February 25-26, 2026, on the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — India's first prime ministerial visit to Israel since Narendra Modi's historic 2017 visit.
- India and Israel officially elevated their bilateral relationship from a "Strategic Partnership" to a "Special Strategic Partnership."
- Twenty-seven bilateral outcomes were announced, including 16 agreements and 11 joint initiatives spanning critical and emerging technologies, AI, cybersecurity, agriculture, labour mobility, defence, and fintech.
- An Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence was announced to be set up in India.
- A joint initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies was launched, to be led by both countries' National Security Advisors.
- Modi addressed the Israeli Knesset (parliament) — the first time an Indian Prime Minister has done so — and declared India stands with Israel "firmly, with full conviction, in this moment and beyond."
Static Topic Bridges
History of India-Israel Diplomatic Relations
India's relationship with Israel has evolved dramatically over eight decades. In 1947, India voted against the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine at the UN General Assembly, and while India recognised Israeli sovereignty in 1950, full diplomatic relations were not established until January 1992 under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. The normalisation of ties in 1992 was a major foreign policy shift, driven by India's post-Cold War rebalancing, economic liberalisation, and strategic considerations. Since 1992, the relationship has deepened across defence, agriculture, water technology, and security.
- India's 1947 UN vote: voted against the Partition Plan for Palestine
- India recognised Israeli sovereignty: September 17, 1950 (de jure recognition)
- Full diplomatic relations established: January 29, 1992 (under PM P.V. Narasimha Rao)
- India opened embassy in Tel Aviv in 1992; Israel opened embassy in New Delhi in 1992
- PM Modi's 2017 visit: first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Israel; elevated ties to "Strategic Partnership"
- Operation Sindhu (2025): India evacuated approximately 818 Indian nationals from Israel-Iran conflict zones via Jordan and Egypt
- Total merchandise trade (FY 2024-25): USD 3.62 billion
Connection to this news: The 2026 upgrade from Strategic Partnership to Special Strategic Partnership mirrors the trajectory of India-Russia (elevated in 2010) and India-US (Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership) bilateral frameworks — signalling Israel's growing importance in India's multi-vector foreign policy.
India-Israel Defence Cooperation
Defence and security cooperation forms the backbone of the India-Israel relationship. India is one of the world's largest importers of Israeli defence equipment. Key co-developed systems include the Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile (jointly developed by DRDO, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems). Israel has provided India access to advanced military technologies that have significantly upgraded Indian armed forces capabilities in air defence, unmanned aerial systems, and electronic warfare.
- India is one of Israel's largest defence export markets — absorbing approximately 34% of Israeli arms exports (2020-2024)
- Bilateral defence trade: USD 20.5 billion (cumulative 2020-2024)
- Key platforms: Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System), Heron and Searcher-II UAVs, Harop loitering munitions, SPYDER quick-reaction air defence, Barak-8 long-range SAM
- Barak-8: jointly developed; inducted into Indian Navy and Indian Air Force; range ~70 km
- November 2025 MoU: joint development and production of military equipment with emphasis on technology transfer
- Israel agreed to arms deals worth USD 8.6 billion with India in 2026
- India's MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones (US-origin) complement Israeli UAV systems
Connection to this news: The new Critical and Emerging Technologies initiative and the Cyber Centre of Excellence announced during the 2026 summit extend the defence cooperation into the digital and cyber domain — areas of growing strategic priority for both countries.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit in September 2023 as a proposed multi-modal connectivity route linking India to Europe via UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. IMEC aims to create an integrated shipping-rail network to reduce trade time and cost between India and Europe by an estimated 40%. Israel's Haifa Port serves as a critical node in the corridor, linking the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. The 2026 summit reaffirmed India and Israel's commitment to advancing IMEC.
- IMEC announced: September 9, 2023 (G20 New Delhi Summit; MoU signed by India, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Germany, Italy, EU)
- IMEC components: Eastern Corridor (India-Gulf) and Northern Corridor (Gulf-Europe via Jordan-Israel)
- Israel's role: Haifa Port serves as the European gateway node on the Northern Corridor
- IMEC vs BRI: positioned as a US-backed connectivity alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative
- Bilateral Investment Agreement: signed by India and Israel in 2025
- FTA negotiations: India-Israel Free Trade Agreement discussions initiated in 2025
Connection to this news: The India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership announcement reinforces IMEC's political foundations. Israel's role as a Mediterranean node in IMEC makes the bilateral relationship not just a defence partnership but a critical connectivity and trade infrastructure alignment.
Key Facts & Data
- India-Israel relationship elevated to: Special Strategic Partnership (February 25-26, 2026)
- Previous tier: Strategic Partnership (established 2017 during Modi's first Israel visit)
- Full diplomatic relations: established January 29, 1992
- 2026 summit outcomes: 27 total (16 agreements + 11 joint initiatives)
- India's share of Israeli arms exports: ~34% (2020-2024 cumulative)
- Bilateral defence trade (2020-2024): USD 20.5 billion
- Israel arms deals with India (2026): USD 8.6 billion
- Total merchandise trade (FY 2024-25): USD 3.62 billion
- Modi's Knesset address: first by an Indian PM
- IMEC announced: September 2023 (G20 New Delhi Summit)
- Haifa Port: Israel's Mediterranean gateway node in IMEC