Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India during the second day of his historic visit to Israel. Both leaders upgraded bilateral ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership" and signed agreements on joint development and production in defense, marking a new chapter in India-Israel relations. Stay tuned for full coverage and updates.

PM Modi Invites Netanyahu to India, Upgrades Ties to Special Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Israel and was greeted warmly by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu at the Ben Gurion International Airport. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel, starting Wednesday, as the two nations seek to reaffirm their deep and long-standing strategic bond and present an opportunity to review common challenges. The six-hour-long flight from New Delhi became the most tracked in the world on Wednesday, according to FlighRadar24.&nbsp;&nbsp;The visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s second trip to Israel in his 10-year tenure as the Indian leader. PM Modi's last visit to Israel was in 2017. PM Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a brief meeting, after which they will head to the Knesset for a special session.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Welcome, My Dear Friend”: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara welcome Indian PM Narendra Modi at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv READ: <a href="https://t.co/IKVNLkjCdN">https://t.co/IKVNLkjCdN</a> <a href="https://t.co/yr94Qc7c5N">pic.twitter.com/yr94Qc7c5N</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2026622590970900921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

PM Modi will become the first Indian leader to address the Israeli parliament. Some other foreign leaders who addressed the Knesset include US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. After speeches in the Knesset plenum, PM Netanyahu and PM Modi will visit an innovation event together in Jerusalem and will later head for a private dinner. PM Modi will also call on the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. Netanyahu and Modi will review the progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, “The leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest.” "This visit to Tel Aviv aims to reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies,” the MEA statement said further.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel, starting Wednesday. The PM's six-hour-long flight from New Delhi became the most tracked in the world on Wednesday, according to FlightRadar24.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Israel and was greeted warmly by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu at the Ben Gurion International Airport. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel, starting Wednesday, as the two nations seek to reaffirm their deep and long-standing strategic bond and present an opportunity to review common challenges. The six-hour-long flight from New Delhi became the most tracked in the world on Wednesday, according to FlighRadar24. The visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s second trip to Israel in his 10-year tenure as the Indian leader. PM Modi's last visit to Israel was in 2017. PM Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a brief meeting, after which they will head to the Knesset for a special session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel, starting Wednesday. The PM's six-hour-long flight from New Delhi became the most tracked in the world on Wednesday, according to FlightRadar24.

PM Modi greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on landing in Israel, to address Knesset

On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a proposal for a new strategic coalition that could reshape alignments in West Asia. Netanyahu described the idea as a “hexagon of alliances”, a structured grouping of countries that share similar security concerns and strategic interests. India was identified as a central partner, alongside Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The framework is also expected to draw in select Arab, African, and Asian countries, though specific names have not yet been disclosed.&nbsp;The announcement, issued by Israel’s foreign office on February 22, comes at a time of heightened geopolitical friction in the region. Tensions between Israel and Iran remain elevated, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formalised a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025, an arrangement some analysts have likened to an “Islamic Nato.” Turkey has also signalled possible interest in that pact.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-round-of-india-israel-fta-negotiations-begins-in-new-delhi-ahead-of-pm-modi-s-visit-1771951501537">First round of India-Israel FTA negotiations begins in New Delhi ahead of PM Modi’s visit</a>&nbsp;Modi’s visit to Israel on February 25–26 marks his second trip to the country as Prime Minister. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, discussions between the two leaders are expected to cover regional developments and broader global issues of shared concern. During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu outlined his vision for the alliance architecture, stating that it would bring together nations across the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia that share common assessments of regional threats.<h2>What is Hexagon Alliance?</h2>He characterised the proposed bloc as a counter to what he called two destabilising forces: a “radical Shia axis,” primarily referring to Iran and its allied groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis; and what he termed an emerging “radical Sunni axis,” which he linked to extremist organisations operating in the region.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sahara-sands-reveal-dragon-like-terror-new-species-of-apex-predator-stuns-researchers-1771954181163/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/sahara-sands-reveal-dragon-like-terror-new-species-of-apex-predator-stuns-researchers-1771954181163/embed</a>&nbsp;Unlike earlier informal alignments, including the India-UAE-Israel-Greece understanding and multilateral platforms such as I2U2, this initiative signals a more formalised and security-focused structure. The proposed hexagon framework is intended to expand cooperation in defence coordination, intelligence-sharing, and strategic resilience.&nbsp;By publicly articulating the concept and naming both partners and adversaries, Netanyahu has elevated the discussion from quiet diplomatic coordination to an openly declared strategic doctrine — one that positions India as a pivotal player in an evolving regional balance.

What is ‘Hexagon Alliance’, proposed by Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of PM Modi' Israel visit?

On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a proposal for a new strategic coalition that could reshape alignments in West Asia. Netanyahu described the idea as a “hexagon of alliances”, a structured grouping of countries that share similar security concerns and strategic interests. India was identified as a central partner, alongside Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. The framework is also expected to draw in select Arab, African, and Asian countries, though specific names have not yet been disclosed. The announcement, issued by Israel’s foreign office on February 22, comes at a time of heightened geopolitical friction in the region. Tensions between Israel and Iran remain elevated, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formalised a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025, an arrangement some analysts have likened to an “Islamic Nato.” Turkey has also signalled possible interest in that pact. Also Read: First round of India-Israel FTA negotiations begins in New Delhi ahead of PM Modi’s visit Modi’s visit to Israel on February 25–26 marks his second trip to the country as Prime Minister. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, discussions between the two leaders are expected to cover regional developments and broader global issues of shared concern. During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu outlined his vision for the alliance architecture, stating that it would bring together nations across the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia that share common assessments of regional threats. What is Hexagon Alliance? He characterised the proposed bloc as a counter to what he called two destabilising forces: a “radical Shia axis,” primarily referring to Iran and its allied groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis; and what he termed an emerging “radical Sunni axis,” which he linked to extremist organisations operating in the region. https://www.wionews.com/videos/sahara-sands-reveal-dragon-like-terror-new-species-of-apex-predator-stuns-researchers-1771954181163/embed Unlike earlier informal alignments, including the India-UAE-Israel-Greece understanding and multilateral platforms such as I2U2, this initiative signals a more formalised and security-focused structure. The proposed hexagon framework is intended to expand cooperation in defence coordination, intelligence-sharing, and strategic resilience. By publicly articulating the concept and naming both partners and adversaries, Netanyahu has elevated the discussion from quiet diplomatic coordination to an openly declared strategic doctrine — one that positions India as a pivotal player in an evolving regional balance.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu proposes a ‘hexagon’ alliance including India to counter regional threat axes ahead of India PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel

India kicked off the first round of the Free Trade Agreement talks with Israel on Tuesday (Feb 24), after Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with Israeli negotiators who are in New Delhi for the deliberations. These talks are scheduled to take place until February 26. Goyal hailed the meeting as an important step towards enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.&nbsp;"Met a delegation from Israel today, visiting India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations (23rd-26th February 2026). The FTA negotiations mark an important step towards enhancing India-Israel bilateral trade &amp; economic cooperation, aimed at creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides," Goyal wrote in a post on X.&nbsp;During the maiden round, the talks are expected to be centred around trade in services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedure and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, among others, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a release. Chief Negotiator of India, Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, reiterated the significance of this engagement for the two countries and encouraged both sides to work on a balanced agreement to build a forward-looking framework for an evolving partnership, the release said.&nbsp;Chief Negotiator of Israel for the FTA, Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director Trade Policy &amp; Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel, expressed that the two countries shared a close relationship, and that the FTA has the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets for both countries.&nbsp;The negotiation of the trade deal began days ahead of Prime Minister Modi's scheduled two-day visit to Israel on Wednesday. Confirming the visit Indian PM on Sunday hailed “the deep bond between India and Israel” and the multi-dimensional nature of bilateral relations. The trip marks his first visit to Israel in his third term and his second overall since 2017. During his visit, he is slated to address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and is expected to sign multiple agreements in the areas of defence, technology and trade.&nbsp;In a post on X, Modi expressed appreciation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s welcoming words, saying, “India attaches great importance to the strong and enduring friendship with Israel, a friendship based on mutual trust, innovation and a shared aspiration for peace and progress.” Netanyahu also announced that Modi’s trip would help forge a new alliance to counter what he described as “radical” adversaries.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dgca-cracks-down-on-vsr-after-ajit-pawar-s-plane-crash-all-learjets-grounded-1771947591488">DGCA cracks down on VSR after Ajit Pawar's plane crash, all Learjets grounded</a>&nbsp;“In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East,” the Israeli leader said.&nbsp;“This includes India, Arab nations, African nations, Mediterranean nations (Greece and Cyprus), and nations in Asia that I won’t detail at the moment,” Netanyahu said, adding that he will further elaborate on his plan in the future.&nbsp;“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,” he added.

The first round of FTA talks kicks off after Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met a delegation of Israeli negotiators in New Delhi.

India kicked off the first round of the Free Trade Agreement talks with Israel on Tuesday (Feb 24), after Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with Israeli negotiators who are in New Delhi for the deliberations. These talks are scheduled to take place until February 26. Goyal hailed the meeting as an important step towards enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. "Met a delegation from Israel today, visiting India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations (23rd-26th February 2026). The FTA negotiations mark an important step towards enhancing India-Israel bilateral trade & economic cooperation, aimed at creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides," Goyal wrote in a post on X. During the maiden round, the talks are expected to be centred around trade in services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedure and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, among others, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a release. Chief Negotiator of India, Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, reiterated the significance of this engagement for the two countries and encouraged both sides to work on a balanced agreement to build a forward-looking framework for an evolving partnership, the release said. Chief Negotiator of Israel for the FTA, Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director Trade Policy & Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel, expressed that the two countries shared a close relationship, and that the FTA has the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets for both countries. The negotiation of the trade deal began days ahead of Prime Minister Modi's scheduled two-day visit to Israel on Wednesday. Confirming the visit Indian PM on Sunday hailed “the deep bond between India and Israel” and the multi-dimensional nature of bilateral relations. The trip marks his first visit to Israel in his third term and his second overall since 2017. During his visit, he is slated to address the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and is expected to sign multiple agreements in the areas of defence, technology and trade. In a post on X, Modi expressed appreciation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s welcoming words, saying, “India attaches great importance to the strong and enduring friendship with Israel, a friendship based on mutual trust, innovation and a shared aspiration for peace and progress.” Netanyahu also announced that Modi’s trip would help forge a new alliance to counter what he described as “radical” adversaries. Also Read: DGCA cracks down on VSR after Ajit Pawar's plane crash, all Learjets grounded “In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East,” the Israeli leader said. “This includes India, Arab nations, African nations, Mediterranean nations (Greece and Cyprus), and nations in Asia that I won’t detail at the moment,” Netanyahu said, adding that he will further elaborate on his plan in the future. “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,” he added.

The first round of FTA talks kicks off after Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met a delegation of Israeli negotiators in New Delhi.

First round of India-Israel FTA negotiations begins in New Delhi ahead of PM Modi’s visit

PM Narendra Modi will travel to Israel on Wednesday, February 25, for a two-day official visit. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar, on Monday, said that both parties are expected to update the joint security agreement. The agreement will likely provide scopes for broader security cooperation and Indian access to sensitive Israeli technologies.&nbsp;Ezar further claimed that the two nations are working on a free trade agreement. “..We are making progress in negotiations for a free trade agreement. We also want to connect the financial systems of the two countries and invite Indian companies to participate in infrastructure tenders in Israel,” said Azar.Israeli researchers and foreign policy think tanks Center for Strategic and International Studies at Bar-Ilan University, emphasised that Israel should extend cooperation with India. According to Dr Lauren Dagan Amos, India is seeking cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum and energy, and Israel is poised to assist with brain capabilities and experience.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-peter-attia-cbs-quits-epstein-files-controversy-1771916983966">Who is Peter Attia? The celebrity doctor resigns from CBS News over Epstein fallout</a>Israeli media reported that the security agreement will allow for “deeper cooperation in defence industries”, including Israeli technologies that India did not have access to before, considering the “security challenges that the Indians have gone through in the past year.”It remains unclear what security technologies will be offered by Israel to India. Azar further added that the agreement will "allow for things to open up that were not there before" in India's security sector. The Indian government had previously used highly invasive Peagusus software developed by NSO, to target &nbsp;300 verified Indian mobile numbers belonging to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, journalists and activists such as Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of digital media outlet The Wire, and Anand Mangnale, South Asia editor at The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), CBI chief Alok Verma, and Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa.The details of the attack were disclosed by the human rights group <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/india-damning-new-forensic-investigation-reveals-repeated-use-of-pegasus-spyware-to-target-high-profile-journalists/">Amnesty International</a>. The Indian government did not cooperate with the probe committee, citing national security concerns. In April 2025, the SC observed that there is nothing wrong with a country possessing a spying tool, but it depends on who it was used against. The case is still pending for review.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi begins a two-day Israel visit as Ambassador Reuven Azar signals an updated security agreement, deeper defence tech access, and progress on a free trade deal. Pegasus spyware row may cast a shadow.

PM Narendra Modi will travel to Israel on Wednesday, February 25, for a two-day official visit. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar, on Monday, said that both parties are expected to update the joint security agreement. The agreement will likely provide scopes for broader security cooperation and Indian access to sensitive Israeli technologies. Ezar further claimed that the two nations are working on a free trade agreement. “..We are making progress in negotiations for a free trade agreement. We also want to connect the financial systems of the two countries and invite Indian companies to participate in infrastructure tenders in Israel,” said Azar. Israeli researchers and foreign policy think tanks Center for Strategic and International Studies at Bar-Ilan University, emphasised that Israel should extend cooperation with India. According to Dr Lauren Dagan Amos, India is seeking cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum and energy, and Israel is poised to assist with brain capabilities and experience. Also read: Who is Peter Attia? The celebrity doctor resigns from CBS News over Epstein fallout Israeli media reported that the security agreement will allow for “deeper cooperation in defence industries”, including Israeli technologies that India did not have access to before, considering the “security challenges that the Indians have gone through in the past year.” It remains unclear what security technologies will be offered by Israel to India. Azar further added that the agreement will "allow for things to open up that were not there before" in India's security sector. The Indian government had previously used highly invasive Peagusus software developed by NSO, to target 300 verified Indian mobile numbers belonging to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, journalists and activists such as Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of digital media outlet The Wire, and Anand Mangnale, South Asia editor at The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), CBI chief Alok Verma, and Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa. The details of the attack were disclosed by the human rights group Amnesty International. The Indian government did not cooperate with the probe committee, citing national security concerns. In April 2025, the SC observed that there is nothing wrong with a country possessing a spying tool, but it depends on who it was used against. The case is still pending for review.

PM Narendra Modi begins a two-day Israel visit as Ambassador Reuven Azar signals an updated security agreement, deeper defence tech access, and progress on a free trade deal. Pegasus spyware row may cast a shadow.

Israeli envoy: Israel will give India access to sensitive security technologies

One of Israel&rsquo;s leading business dailies has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as &ldquo;the most important PM of the world&rdquo;.

&quot;Wake up: the most important PM of the world is coming,&quot; business daily The Marker said ahead of Modi&rsquo;s visit to the country from July 4-6.

The Marker, in a feature story on Indo-Israel relations, said the Indian Prime Minister deserves a lot of attention.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday stressed the importance of Modi&rsquo;s visit, hailing the visit as a &ldquo;historic step&rdquo;.

&quot;Next week, the Indian Prime Minister, my friend, Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel. This is a historic visit to Israel. In the 70 years of the country&#39;s existence, no Indian Prime Minister has ever visited and this is further expression of the state of Israel&#39;s military, economic and diplomatic strength,&quot; Netanyahu had said.

&quot;This is a very significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries.&rdquo;

This will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel.

 
&nbsp;

'Wake up: the most important PM of the world is coming,' business daily 'The Marker' said ahead of Modi?s visit to the country from July 4-6

One of Israel’s leading business dailies has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “the most important PM of the world”. "Wake up: the most important PM of the world is coming," business daily The Marker said ahead of Modi’s visit to the country from July 4-6. The Marker, in a feature story on Indo-Israel relations, said the Indian Prime Minister deserves a lot of attention. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday stressed the importance of Modi’s visit, hailing the visit as a “historic step”. "Next week, the Indian Prime Minister, my friend, Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel. This is a historic visit to Israel. In the 70 years of the country's existence, no Indian Prime Minister has ever visited and this is further expression of the state of Israel's military, economic and diplomatic strength," Netanyahu had said. "This is a very significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries.” This will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel.

Israeli daily says Modi 'most important PM of the world'