New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a special session of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem. This historic speech took place during his two-day state visit to Israel from February 25 to 26. It marks Modi’s second visit to Israel. His first visit was in 2017, which was the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister to the country.
Modi’s visit comes at a time whenIsrael’s genocidal war continues in Gaza where it has killed at least 72,073 people and wounded 171,756 since October 2023.
In his address, Modi strongly condemned terrorism and expressed India’s full support for Israel. He offered deep condolences for the militant attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. “I also 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. “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism.”
Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset. He received a warm welcome from Israeli lawmakers, who gave him a standing ovation. There were also chants of “Modi, Modi” in the house. Before his speech, Modi was honoured with the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’, the highest parliamentary honour given to him. He dedicated it to the strong friendship and shared democratic values between India and Israel.
Modi recalled India’s own long struggle with terrorism. He mentioned the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, in which innocent lives were lost, including Israeli citizens. “Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards,” he added.
He stressed that both countries share the same firm stand against terror. Modi said countering terrorism needs strong and joint action from the world. He backed all efforts for lasting peace and stability in the region. Modi expressed India’s support for the Gaza Peace Initiative, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council. “The Gaza Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue,” he said.
Modi called for wisdom, courage, and humanity to guide efforts towards peace. “Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy. But India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” he added.
The Prime Minister highlighted the growing ties between India and Israel in many areas. He spoke about deeper cooperation in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 framework, which includes India, Israel, UAE, and the US.
Modi praised Israel’s innovation, often calling it the “start-up nation”. He noted India’s own push for innovation among its youth. He recalled the iCreate Technology Business Incubator launched in 2018 with then-Prime Minister Netanyahu. It has supported nearly 900 start-ups since then.
He pointed to synergies in new fields like quantum technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. Modi mentioned last week’s AI Impact Summit in India, which drew participants from over 100 countries. He also spoke about work on cross-border financial links using India’s Digital Public Infrastructure.
Defence and security remain key pillars of the partnership. Modi noted the MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in November last year. “In today’s uncertain world, a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance,” he said.
Israel-India investment deal
On the economic front, Modi expressed happiness over the Bilateral Investment Agreement which was finalised in New Delhi on 8 September, 2025. The Agreement was signed by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, and Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister of the State of Israel.
The agreement between Israel and India has reflected our economic growth, innovation, and mutual prosperity and it is a significant strategic step for our shared vision,Bezalel Smotrich wrote on X.
“The agreement will open new opportunities for investors in both countries. It will strengthen Israeli exports and provide businesses with certainty in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets (India). India is an economic superpower, and this deepening cooperation between us offers a great opportunity for our country, our economy, and our citizens.”
India’s Ministry of Finance described the agreement as historic milestone in the relation of two countries, adding that it will advance economic cooperation in the fields of fintech innovation, infrastructure development, financial regulation, and digital payment connectivity
Bilateral trade between India and Israel stood at $3.9 billion in 2024. Mutual investments are around $800 million. Much of the trade is in defence, with India as Israel’s largest buyer of weapons.
Modi called for early finalisation of an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to unlock more trade potential. He urged greater collaboration in trade, investment, infrastructure, green growth, start-ups, digital solutions, and emerging technologies.
The visit strengthens the deep bond between the two nations. It shows India’s firm commitment to stand with Israel in fighting terrorism and building a future of peace, innovation, and shared growth. As Modi said, the friendship between India and Israel will remain a source of strength in an uncertain world.
Opposition Criticises Modi’s Visit to Israel
Modi’s visit has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties in India. Several left-wing groups have condemned the visit, calling it a betrayal of India’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause and a sign of growing alignment with Israel at a sensitive time.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation strongly condemned the visit as a “disgraceful act of complicity in the ongoing genocidal assault on the Palestinian people.” In a statement, the party said that while Palestinian civilians face massacre, displacement, and starvation under Israeli occupation, Modi’s visit amounts to “political endorsement and profiteering on Palestinian blood.”
CPI(ML) Liberation accused the Modi government of surrendering India’s historic legacy of anti-colonialism and solidarity with the oppressed. “After mortgaging India’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy to Trump’s racist agenda, Modi is now completely surrendering India’s historic legacy of anti-colonialism and solidarity with the oppressed by visiting Israel,” the statement read.
The party further alleged that since 2014, the Modi regime has imported Israeli models of repression to strengthen its own politics at home. “From bulldozer demolitions and collective punishment tactics against minorities and marginalised, to the expansion of illegal surveillance infrastructures, the BJP’s fascist politics has found a role model in Israel,” it added.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also opposed the visit. CPI(M) described it as a “betrayal of the Palestinian cause” and a move that “legitimises the murderous Netanyahu regime.” The party said the declared aim of the visit is to deepen strategic, military, and economic ties with a “Zionist expansionist regime” that seeks regional dominance with US support.
CPI(M) said the timing of the visit “inopportune,” noting that it comes when the United States is reportedly preparing for possible military action against Iran at Israel’s instigation. “Through this visit, the BJP government has once again laid bare its shameless commitment to the US-Israeli axis in West Asia,” the statement said.
Voicing concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appealed to PM Modi that he would raise the issue during his Knesset address. “I hope that the Hon Prime Minister Modi mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them,” She wrote on X
“India has stood for what is right throughout our history as an independent nation, we must continue to show the light of truth, peace and justice to the world.”
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