By Charan Singh
India and Israel are deepening their strategic partnership. The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi recently concluded his visit to Israel, where he discussed a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at enhancing bilateral trade. During the visit, Mr. Modi addressed the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) and received the Knesset Medal. He was warmly welcomed at the airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife.
Over the past 11 years, India–Israel relations have evolved significantly. After the NDA government took office in 2014 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, a renewed push strengthened strategic cooperation between the two democracies. One of the early steps in this renewed engagement was collaboration on Water Resources Management, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation. In 2015, the Chairperson of India’s Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources, and senior member of Parliament, Mr. Hukum Singh, met with Israel’s Ambassador to India, Mr. Daniel Carmon.
Mr. Narendra Modi visited Israel in 2017 for the first time. Since then, the partnership has expanded into a dynamic relationship spanning multiple sectors.
India and Israel now maintain a strong strategic partnership rooted in technology, agriculture, intelligence-sharing, and joint development of defense equipment. Both nations are promoting joint production under India’s “Make in India” initiative, including weapon systems such as drones, missiles, and radars. They have also established an “Emerging Technologies Partnership” focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, and critical minerals.
The two countries are collaborating on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor to facilitate maritime trade. They are also part of the I2U2 grouping (India, Israel, the United States, and the UAE), which aims to promote cooperation in water, energy, transport, and space. Additionally, the India–Israel Academic Cooperation Forum has been created to support university-level research and student exchanges.
India has contributed skilled and unskilled labor to help rebuild damaged infrastructure in Israel due to ongoing conflict in Gaza. Both countries continue to play important roles at regional and international levels. Their ongoing cooperation remains vital for ensuring peace, progress, and prosperity for both India and Israel in the future.
Charan Singh is an NRI and community leader based in New Jersey USA
