De-Hyphenated Diplomacy: PM Modi Advocates Israel-Palestine Peace At Knesset In Historic Visit

Last Updated:February 25, 2026, 23:00 IST

PM Modi reiterated India's steadfast belief in a two-state solution, urging both Israel and Palestine to return to the path of dialogue and peaceful co-existence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark state visit to Israel reached a significant diplomatic crescendo on Wednesday, as he addressed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and held high-level discussions aimed at reshaping the “Indo-Abrahamic" strategic partnership. Throughout the visit, the Prime Minister has delicately balanced India’s historic commitment to the Palestinian cause with its burgeoning, multifaceted alliance with the Israeli state. In his much-anticipated address, PM Modi reiterated India’s steadfast belief in a two-state solution, urging both Israel and Palestine to return to the path of dialogue and peaceful co-existence. He emphasised that India’s “de-hyphenated" foreign policy allows it to maintain strong, independent relationships with both nations, serving as a credible partner for regional stability.

The visit began with an extraordinary display of personal rapport at Ben Gurion Airport, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara broke protocol to receive the Indian leader. This “saffron synchronicity", marked by the coordinated attire of PM Modi and Israel’s first lady, set a cordial tone for a trip that has already yielded significant security dividends. A primary highlight of the visit so far has been the historic agreement regarding the transfer of Iron Dome technology. In a major upgrade to military collaboration, Israel has formalised an offer to share the technical blueprints and manufacturing capabilities of its world-renowned air defence system. This move is intended to bolster India’s “Sudarshan Chakra" programme, providing a critical shield against short-range aerial threats in the subcontinent.

Beyond the immediate sphere of defence, the visit has focused on innovation and sustainable development as the twin pillars of future cooperation. Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart have engaged in intensive sessions regarding the $8.6 billion defence engagement planned for 2026, while also fast-tracking the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The discussions have moved into the “frontier technologies" of the future, with new memorandums of understanding signed in the fields of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. The Prime Minister also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Centre, paying a sombre tribute to the victims and underscoring the shared experience of the two nations as resilient democracies that have triumphed over historical adversity and modern-day terrorism.

As the second half of the tour unfolds, the focus will shift towards ground-level implementation and cultural diplomacy. The upcoming programme includes a massive community event in Tel Aviv, where PM Modi is scheduled to address thousands of members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom are of Jewish heritage. This engagement highlights the living bridge between the two countries. Furthermore, the Prime Minister is slated to visit a desalination plant and a high-tech agricultural centre to witness Israeli innovations in water management and “dryland" farming, technologies that India hopes to scale up to address its own domestic challenges.

The visit will conclude with a symbolic meeting with Indian and Israeli tech entrepreneurs, followed by a joint declaration that is expected to provide a ten-year roadmap for the partnership. By maintaining a clear-eyed focus on strategic interests while consistently advocating for a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, Prime Minister Modi has positioned India as a nuanced and influential actor in West Asia’s geopolitics. As the delegation prepares for the final leg of the journey, the “Jerusalem Declaration" is poised to cement this visit as a transformative moment in India’s global diplomatic history.

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