India’s Modi visits Israel amid US-Iran tensions

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a significant visit to Israel this week as US-Iran tensions escalate. The two leaders are expected to deepen their close ties during the visit, touching on various topics including defense and AI.

This visit follows India’s first-ever visit to Israel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, where both leaders, then still in power, shared a moment of informal camaraderie. Now nine years later, Israeli officials anticipate furthering bilateral relations through new partnerships and collaborations across many fields, particularly at a time when military tensions between the US and Iran remain high.

The visit comes amid intense geopolitical pressure near the Iranian coast, where the United States has deployed a vast naval force ahead of possible strikes on Tehran. Israel has also positioned itself to expand its military exports during Modi’s stay. Both leaders are expected to discuss defense cooperation and AI advancements at the Knesset and Yad Vashem.

Modi’s remarks will likely touch on India’s stance, which has been cautious about any conflict involving Iran, particularly amid significant Indian diaspora communities in Arab Gulf states who depend heavily on remittances sent home.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials suggest that discussions regarding a broader regional outlook are also expected during Modi’s visit. Netanyahu highlighted India as part of a potential future coalition against what he termed “radical Shiite” and “emerging radical Sunni” forces.

Despite India’s non-alignment history, Modi is likely to emphasize the importance of cooperation in safeguarding its interests amidst global power dynamics. This visit may serve as an important signal in shaping Indo-Israel relations during a volatile period between major world powers.