Netanyahu and Modi Plan Meeting to Bolster India-Israel Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet “very soon,” according to a statement released Wednesday by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The announcement followed a warm and friendly phone conversation between the two leaders.

The long-delayed meeting comes after months of postponement, initially set to take place before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. Indian media had previously reported that Netanyahu’s visit to India was pending due to the conflict.

According to a separate statement from Modi’s office, both leaders reiterated their shared “zero-tolerance approach” to terrorism and “strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

They also reviewed the ongoing momentum in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties across political, economic, and defense sectors.

The leaders exchanged views on the broader West Asia situation, with Modi reaffirming India’s commitment to a “just and durable peace,” including support for the early implementation of the U.S.-backed Gaza Peace Plan.

The announcement follows Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s November visit to New Delhi, where he met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Sa’ar emphasized India’s global importance and reaffirmed Israel’s desire to forge a long-term strategic alliance.

“India is the world’s largest democracy and fastest growing economy,” Sa’ar said during the visit. “Israel is a regional powerhouse, and our goal is to build a long-term strategic partnership.”

Modi was the first world leader to call Netanyahu following the October 7 Hamas attacks, a gesture that Israeli officials have described as deeply meaningful.