PM Modi in Israel for strategic talks, Congress slams ‘moral cowardice’ over Netanyahu outreach

While the govt has projected the visit as a push to strengthen an innovation-driven strategic partnership, the Opposition has highlighted India’s historic support for Palestine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, making Modi’s Israel outreach a domestic political flashpoint.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for a two-day visit to Israel, expressing confidence that the trip would further consolidate the “enduring bonds” between the two countries, even as the Congress accused him of displaying “moral cowardice” by engaging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid global criticism over Gaza.

Modi’s visit, his second to Israel in nine years, aims to deepen cooperation in defense, trade, technology and strategic sectors. However, it has triggered sharp political reactions at home, with the opposition claiming that the government has abandoned the Palestinian cause.

In his departure statement, Modi said India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has witnessed noteworthy growth and dynamism.

The prime minister said the visit comes at the invitation of his “dear friend Prime Minister Netanyahu.”

“I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management… defense and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties,” he said.

Modi expressed confidence that his visit would further consolidate the “enduring bonds” between India and Israel, set new goals for the strategic partnership, and advance the countries’ shared vision for a resilient, innovative, and prosperous future.

He said the two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of common interest.

During the visit, Modi will meet Israeli President Isaac Heroz.

“I will also have the honor of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations,” he said.

Modi also said he is looking forward to interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in Israel who have long cultivated the India-Israel friendship.

The India–Israel relationship was elevated to the level of a strategic partnership during Modi’s first visit to the country in July 2017.

Congress attacks Modi over Gaza

The Congress launched a scathing attack on the prime minister over the timing of the visit, alleging that he was aligning himself with Netanyahu despite global anger over the situation in Gaza.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Modi is “brazenly embracing” his Israeli counterpart.

“That was a different era. Now the Indian Prime Minister is brazenly embracing the Prime Minister of Israel, who has reduced Gaza to debris and dust and who is orchestrating the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank,” Ramesh said on X.

When the entire world is critical of his ‘dear friend’ Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. “Modi will be displaying moral cowardice,” he alleged.

Ramesh also recalled India’s historical support for Palestine, noting that on May 20, 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru was in Gaza and met with the Indian contingent of the UN Emergency Force there, and that on November 29, 1981, India released a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine. On November 18, 1988, India formally recognized the state of Palestine, he pointed out.

The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government has abandoned the Palestinians and said the prime minister was going to Israel despite that country’s attacks on civilians in Gaza continue “mercilessly”.

Ramesh said the Modi government makes cynical and hypocritical statements on its commitment to the cause of the Palestinians but in reality it has deserted them.

Priyanka Gandhi urges PM to raise Gaza issue

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also weighed in, expressing hope that Modi would raise the issue of Gaza during her address to the Knesset.

The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government has abandoned the Palestinians and said the prime minister was going to Israel despite that country’s attacks on civilians in Gaza continue “mercilessly”.

Ramesh said the Modi government makes cynical and hypocritical statements on its commitment to the cause of the Palestinians but in reality it has deserted them.

Priyanka Gandhi urges PM to raise Gaza issue

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also weighed in, expressing hope that Modi would raise the issue of Gaza during her address to the Knesset.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “I hope that the Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them.”

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a stand-alone visit to Israel on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) to upgrade bilateral ties, its timing faces geopolitical headwinds. While defense and security, labor and trade, AI and technology, and IMEC project connectivity will be at the top of the agenda for his meetings with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the outcomes will go beyond bilateral agreements to their symbolism and the message they send to the broader West Asian region.

India and Israel have strongly and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. During the 10th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group JWG on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi yesterday, both countries stressed that confronting terrorism requires sustained, comprehensive and concerted action.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr Vinod Bahade.

The Israeli side was lead by Nadav Eschar, Head of Bureau, Strategic Affairs Division, in Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Akashvani correspondent reports that the meeting emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation between India and Israel, as both nations reaffirmed their strong commitment to jointly combat terrorism in all its forms.

Both sides also condemned the 7 October 2023 terror attack in Israel and the 22 April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, along with other recent attacks.

In view of these attacks, the meeting stressed the urgent need to hold the culprits accountable.

The two countries stressed sustained and comprehensive action against terrorism and renewed their commitment to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force.

They discussed emerging threats such as terrorist recruitment, abuse of technology, terror financing, and the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, drones and AI for terror activities.

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