India–Israel Ties 2026: PM Modi’s Visit to Israel and De-hyphenation Policy

PM Modi’s Israel visit upgraded ties amid the Gaza conflict and Israel’s global criticism. It has raised concerns about whether India is shifting from its traditionally balanced Israel–Palestine policy.

Historical Context and De-hyphenation

• Shift in Policy: Traditionally, India maintained strong solidarity with the Palestinian cause and only established full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992.
• De-hyphenation: In recent years, India adopted a policy of de-hyphenation i.e it manages its relationships with Israel and Palestine independently rather than linking them together.
• Previous Milestones: In 2017, PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. 
  • Although he did not visit Palestine during that trip, he subsequently travelled there to reaffirm India’s commitment to maintaining diplomatic balance.

Explore Combo (GS+Optional) Courses

Explore Combo (GS+Optional) Courses

The 2026 Visit and Diplomatic Outreach

• High Interest from Israel: The visit marked a significant bilateral outreach, strongly pursued by Israel.
• Upgraded Ties: Both countries formalised a Special Strategic Partnership, signalling a qualitative elevation of bilateral relations beyond conventional cooperation.
• Major Agreements: More than 15 MoUs were signed across Artificial Intelligence, Agriculture, Culture, Education, and Critical Technologies.
• Labour Cooperation: To address Israel’s wartime labour shortages, India agreed to facilitate the deployment of 5,000 Indian workers over five years, combining economic diplomacy with overseas employment generation.

Geopolitical Context and Strategic Implications

• Israel’s International Isolation: The visit took place amid growing global criticism of Israel over the high civilian toll in Gaza (over 72,000 deaths) and the expansion of West Bank settlements. 
  • Even traditional European partners such as Germany, France, and the U.K. have expressed concern.
• Domestic Pressures on Netanyahu: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu faces corruption allegations, scrutiny over the October 2023 security lapses, and impending elections.
  • This visit helps counter perceptions of diplomatic isolation and strengthens his domestic standing.

The “Taking Sides” Debate

• Knesset Speech: PM Modi indirectly referred to a two-state solution through the U.S.-led Gaza Peace Initiative.
• Selective Emphasis: He condemned the October 2023 Hamas attack but did not mention the large civilian casualties in Gaza.
• Neutrality Questioned: This raised concerns about whether India’s traditionally balanced stance is tilting toward Israel.
  • A perceived shift could affect ties with Arab nations, vital for energy security and the Indian diaspora.

Strategic Frameworks

• Reviving Initiatives: During the visit, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s serious commitment to two major initiatives that had slowed down due to the war:
  • I2U2 : The partnership between India, Israel, the US, and the UAE focused on economic and technological cooperation in West Asia.
  • IMEC (India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor): The IMEC is a proposed connectivity corridor linking India to Europe via the Middle East through rail, ports, energy, and digital infrastructure to enhance trade and strategic integration.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Conclusion

While closer ties with Israel advance India’s security and technology interests, India must preserve its balanced West Asia policy by supporting a two-state solution and maintaining strong Arab partnerships.

DOWNLOAD PDF