Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February state visit to Israel elevated relations to a Special Strategic Partnership and included a first-ever address by an Indian leader to the Knesset, with new tracks for defence, technology and trade cooperation.
- New Delhi’s stated approach frames Israel ties and support for Palestinian statehood on separate tracks, with policymakers presenting this as de-hyphenation under a broader multi-alignment doctrine.
- Following late-February US–Israeli strikes on Iran, India avoided taking sides publicly and called for respect for sovereignty, a stance critics in recent commentary argue signals a tilt that could narrow diplomatic space.
- Opinion pieces warn that perceived imbalance could jeopardize equities from Gulf energy security and a large diaspora to Iranian projects such as Chabahar, even as supporters argue India is prioritizing concrete national interests.
- Reporting highlights deepening India–Israel defence collaboration beyond purchases, while unverified claims circulate about potential access to Iron Dome or Iron Beam technology.