[ad_1]
The West Asian region is staring at the possibility of its worst ever military conflict with one of the largest American military buildups in the Persian Gulf. Iran is defiant and has refused to bow down to ‘unreasonable demands’ from the United States. Concurrently, in Gaza, although the ceasefire has held since October 2025, the prospects of lasting peace still look remote. In addition, emerging fault lines in the region are drawing allies such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia into opposing military blocs.
In the midst of such an uncertain security situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a two-day visit to Israel (February 25-26, 2026). This will be Mr. Modi’s second visit to Israel, following his historic first visit in July 2017 — the first by any Indian Prime Minister. Notably, this is a standalone visit with no engagement with Palestinian Authority leadership, highlighting India’s success in “de-hyphenating” its Israel engagement.
The question, however, that arises is why this visit? What role can India play in this fragile security situation in the region? With India and Israel facing similar security threats, how can they take this very important partnership forward?
Convergence in a security partnership
Surrounded by hostile neighbours and as victims of frequent terror attacks, both countries have often sought convergence on security and defence issues. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has been Israel’s largest defence customer for several years, accounting for about 34% of Israel’s total arms exports between 2020 and 2024. The cooperation has gradually progressed from imports to joint development and technology collaboration.
Over the past few decades, Israel has provided India with a number of cutting-edge technologies, weapon and surveillance platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, special forces equipment and radar systems. The Barak-8 air and missile defence system, co-developed by India and Israel, is one such success story. During Israel Defence Minister Benjamin Gantz’s visit to New Delhi in June 2022, there was the ‘India-Israel Vision on Defence Cooperation’ for enhancing cooperation in the field of futuristic defence technologies. In November 2025, India and Israel signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in defence, industry and technology, including the sharing of advanced systems to support joint development and production.
For India, there were lessons from its experience in Operation Sindoor (May 2025) — the need for a strong and impregnable air (including anti-drone) and missile defence shield under Mission ‘Sudarshan Chakra’. There are inputs that there could be special focus on it during Mr. Modi’s visit including the procurement and co-production of the ‘Iron Beam’ — a 100kW-class high-energy laser system capable of intercepting drones, rockets, and mortars efficiently and cost-effectively. There are also reports that Autonomous Guard, an Israeli company has signed a deal with an Indian private defence firm valued at approximately $$1.9 million, which would cover the supply of advanced surveillance and threat-detection systems, specialising in sensor-based observation technologies.
The science, technology and innovation link
India has benefited immensely from Israel’s success in modern technology and innovations, especially in agriculture, water and electronics. There are more than 35 Centres of Excellence (CoE) in India which are focused in high quality and high-density production of flowers, vegetables, fruits (mango, citrus, litchi, date palm, pomegranate), and beekeeping. Water management technologies too are critical, especially with many water-scarce areas in India. MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation under Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed agreements with Haryana in June 2022 and Rajasthan in December 2024 to collaborate on integrated water resource management and capacity building. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly emerging as a key driver of modern technology, it is expected to become a focus area in future bilateral cooperation and innovation initiatives.
Israel-India bilateral trade is often overshadowed by security cooperation. It, however, remains a significant pillar of engagement. India is Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade reaching $3.75 billion in FY2024-2025. While merchandise trade continues to be dominated by diamonds, petroleum and chemicals, the partnership is expanding into electronics, high-tech products, communications and medical equipment.
In September 2025, during the visit of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement. This was followed by the signing of the Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Israel in November 2025. With India having recently concluded several significant trade deals, the FTA with Israel could gain the necessary momentum during Mr. Modi’s visit. Israel is also keen to establish arrangements and exemptions for Indian infrastructure companies to participate in building critical roads and ports. Additionally, similar to India’s agreement with Russia, Israel may pursue a deal to facilitate “human mobility” to attract skilled Indian talent.
Another key aspect to watch during the Modi visit is the progress of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Announced at the G-20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023, this intercontinental connectivity project holds strategic significance for both countries. Although the Gaza conflict had temporarily stalled the initiative, there is now a renewed sense of urgency to advance it. Recent trade agreements with the European Union, Oman, and the UAE are expected to boost trade in both value and volume, creating the need for a shorter and safer transport route. With the Suez Canal route vulnerable to disruptions from regional conflicts, IMEC could provide an alternative, secure corridor to Europe. But achieving lasting peace in Gaza remains crucial for the project’s success.
Gaza peace process and regional dynamics
Discussion on the Gaza peace process is a definite likelihood. During the recent ‘Summit’ of the Board of Peace, presided over by U.S. President Donald Trump on February 19, 2026,. more than 50 countries participated, with some pledging $7 billion in funding and others committing troops to the International Stabilisation Force. India attended as an observer and has not yet defined its role in the process. Given India’s strong ties with both the Gulf region and Israel, discussions may include potential avenues for India’s involvement in Gaza.
Both leaders are also expected to discuss regional dynamics in depth, including developments in Iran, given the potential implications of conflict for India and the wider region, particularly with regard to India’s energy security. India’s hosting of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM), in January 2026, along with Mr. Modi’s visits to Jordan and Oman (December 2025), and the visit of the UAE President in January 2026, demonstrate the careful balance that India has forged in the region. This sets the stage for a constructive and realistic discussion on various regional issues during the visit.
Ahead of the Modi visit, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted this: “we will create a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East. This includes India, Arab nations, African nations, Mediterranean nations (Greece and Cyprus), and nations in Asia …The intention here is to create an axis of nations that see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges and goals against the radical axes, both the radical Shiite axis, which we have struck very hard, and the emerging radical Sunni axis.”
India, however, does not necessarily see things in the region from this lens. How India reacts to such a proposal, given how close India’s ties are with countries in the region, will also be a thing to be watched.
Mr. Modi’s visit is being closely watched, as India and Israel are at pivotal points in their journeys. Despite domestic differences, the two have built a strong strategic partnership over the past decade. Mr. Modi’s address to the Knesset — a privilege usually reserved for U.S. Presidents — and his visit to a Jerusalem innovation centre highlight the visit’s significance. It is far more than routine diplomacy, with potential long-term implications for both countries and the region.
Rajeev Agarwal is a foreign policy expert, a retired colonel, and Senior Research Consultant, Chintan Research Foundation (CRF)
[ad_2]
An Israel visit — its strategic, economic, regional impact
