Modi’s Israel Visit Underscores Deep Ties |
Foreign & Public Diplomacy
Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.
The highlights this week: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Israel amid deepening ties, Pakistan carries out another counterterrorism operation across the border in Afghanistan, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stops in India on an Asia-Pacific trip.
Welcome to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief.
The highlights this week: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Israel amid deepening ties, Pakistan carries out another counterterrorism operation across the border in Afghanistan, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stops in India on an Asia-Pacific trip.
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Modi Heads to Israel for Two-Day Trip
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit, which will include talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; an address to parliament; and a visit to Yad Vashem, the country’s official Holocaust memorial
India’s relationship with Israel has grown and morphed from a cautious arrangement to a deep partnership during Modi’s nearly 12 years in power. His trip to Israel in 2017—the first by an Indian prime minister—was a landmark moment. For years, India has been Israel’s biggest defense customer, and it is Israel’s second-largest Asian trade partner in merchandise.
The shift in India-Israel ties can be attributed to some convergent interests. The two countries have formed partnerships around health, science and technology, water, and cultural exchange, among other areas. Both countries are regional tech powers, and they are keen to leverage this clout, whether through deepening cooperation on artificial intelligence or partnering on agricultural technology.
As India looked to reduce its reliance on Russian weapons following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Israel emerged as a critical arms supplier. And New Delhi has returned the favor, with Indian companies reportedly shipping rockets and explosives to Israel in 2024 as it waged war in Gaza.
The improvement in bilateral ties is also a consequence of Modi and Netanyahu themselves. The two leaders see themselves in a shared predicament: helming nations in hostile neighborhoods........