PM Modi concludes landmark Israel visit as ties upgraded to special strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wrapped up his landmark visit to Israel, his first trip to the country in nine years, marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations. During the visit, India and Israel agreed to upgrade their ties to a special strategic partnership, reflecting deepening cooperation across multiple sectors.

The two nations signed a total of 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering key areas such as innovation, cultural exchange, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

List of Outcomes (27 in total) 🇮🇳 🇮🇱

State Visit of PM @narendramodi to Israel ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nkzRRQ2xME

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2026

Prime Minister Modi departed from Ben-Gurion International Airport, where he was formally seen off by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu. Also present at the airport were Israel’s Ambassador to India, Rueven Azar, and India’s Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh.

The high-profile visit highlighted the growing alignment between India and Israel, with the 27 agreements underscoring a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation in strategic and economic domains.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, send off Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tel Aviv airport as he departs for India after a 2-day visit.

(Pics: Israel PM/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/MoqrfA4pYt

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026

“Today’s discussions with PM Netanyahu were very fruitful. We’ve taken a historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership. This decision reflects the aspirations of the people of both countries.”

Today’s discussions with PM Netanyahu were very fruitful. We’ve taken a historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership. This decision reflects the aspirations of the people of both countries.@netanyahu pic.twitter.com/zXJr2re3Mb

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 26, 2026

India, Israel reaffirm collective resolve to combat terrorism

India and Israel on Thursday unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace.

A joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu said the two leaders called for “decisive and concerted international efforts” to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner.

“The leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism,” it said.

Expressing the grave concern over this common challenge, the two leaders reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace as the leaders of two vibrant and resilient democracies.

“They strongly condemned the heinous October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, the savage terror attack on Indian tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir in India on April 22, 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on November 10, 2025,” the statement said.

It said that the two leaders also reiterated their unwavering commitment to advancing global peace and security and welcomed US President Donald Trump’s “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict.” They discussed the regional developments, including the peace process, and underlined the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region through dialogue and mutual understanding.

The historic meeting between PM Modi and PM Netanyahu saw collaborations on the fronts of high-tech artificial intelligence, quantum computing, economic, diplomatic and security collaboration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India and Israel will soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and announced the establishment of a “Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership” to deepen cooperation in the tech and innovation sectors.

PM Modi said, “India and Israel are clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form. We will continue to fight against terrorism and its supporters…We will proceed together on IMEC and I2U2…”

“India and Israel are completely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism in any form, in any expression, cannot be accepted. We have been standing shoulder to shoulder opposing terrorism and its supporters, and will continue to do so. Peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India’s security,” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi added that India has consistently supported dialogue and peaceful solutions in West Asia while referring to ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.PM Modi further noted that the Gaza Peace Plan has created a pathway towards peace and that India supports such initiatives aimed at restoring stability.

“Therefore, from the beginning, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful solution. This is the call of the Global South and all of humanity. India’s thinking is clear: Humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has created a path for peace. India fully supports these efforts. In the future as well, we will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries,” the Prime Minister said.

Addressing the joint press briefing, Netanyahu hailed the visit by PM Modi and underlined how the two brilliant talent of the two countries can come together. “The meeting of minds and hearts that we have had here will continue”, he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that India and Israel have decided to hold a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India at the earliest opportunity, adding that he looks forward to bringing the distinguished ministers present for the engagement.

During the joint press remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also shared a personal story of how he owed India a “great personal debt” as he revealed that prior to marrying his wife Sara, they had both met and enjoyed the “unbelievable food” at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv. Earlier in the day, PM Modi called on President Isaac Herzog and planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative.

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote in a post on X, “Ties of warmth and goodwill! PM Narendra Modi called-on the President Isaac Herzog of Israel today. PM thanked President Herzog for his steadfast support in strengthening the special India-Israel Partnership. Both leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity.

PM Modi planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative. PM also extended an invitation to President Herzog to visit India in the near future.“PM Modi also visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, paying homage to Holocaust victims and visiting the Book of Names Hall, which preserves the memory of millions who perished.

Speaking about the visit, the MEA spokesperson said, “Honouring the memory of victims of the Holocaust and renewing our shared commitment to uphold peace and human dignity. PM Narendra Modi visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. This was the second visit of the PM to Yad Vashem.

PM laid a wreath and paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust. PM also visited the poignant Book of Names Hall, a powerful tribute preserving the memory of millions who perished during the holocaust. The memorial stands as a solemn reminder of the brutality of the past and our collective resolve to stand against injustice and create a better world.”

Highlighting the profound emotional and strategic impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu described it as an “amazing visit”.

Speaking at a joint press conference following the signing of several key agreements, the Israeli leader noted that while PM Modi’s state visit was short, it was “extraordinarily productive and also extraordinarily moving”. He specifically recalled the Prime Minister’s address to the Knesset on Wednesday, stating, “I think there wasn’t a dry eye left in Israel after your moving statement yesterday in the Knesset”.

Expressing a deep sense of gratitude to the visiting leader, Netanyahu remarked that he could “tell you that since then we have also had the opportunity to not only look deep into our hearts but also into our remarkable minds that we have in our two countries”. He further underscored the bond between the nations by stating that his country feels it “owes India a great lot of debt” for its enduring friendship.

With inputs from agencies