Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged his support for Israel during his two-day state visit, which concluded on Thursday last week.
'India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond,' said Modi to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, on Wednesday. He condemned the 'barbaric terrorist attack' by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and stated that 'no cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism.'
His speech marked the first time an Indian leader addressed the Knesset. Modi’s state visit follows his 2017 trip, which was the first time an Indian Prime Minister visited Israel.
In his remarks, Modi reaffirmed India’s 'firm support' for the controversial Gaza Peace Initiative, which he said 'holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region.' He also praised 'Israel’s efforts to develop agriculture in the desert' and called it a 'powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership.'
During his visit, Modi met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. A joint statement by the two countries outlined ‘A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity.’
The strategic partnership builds on the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, which was signed back in November. India is the biggest purchaser of Israeli weapons, spending $20.5 billion on arms between 2020 and 2024.
The joint statement bolstered cooperation between the two countries in multiple areas, including technology, cybersecurity, trade, innovation, agriculture, health and education. Israel also agreed to admit an additional 50,000 Indian workers into the country within the next five years.
Following the state visit, the two countries signed over a dozen agreements on multiple areas, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cultural exchange and agriculture.
The Indian leader’s state visit preceded the joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and up to 40 top Iranian officials.
Modi responded to the recent developments in a post on X, which stated: 'Had a telephone call with PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the current regional situation. Conveyed India's concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority. India reiterates the need for an early cessation of hostilities.'
Modi’s visit has received widespread criticism, including by Jairam Ramesh of the Indian National Congress, the main opposition party. On X, Ramesh criticized the visit by writing, 'This Israel visit was shameful and it is even more so in light of the war that has been launched by two of Mr. Modi’s ‘good friends,'' referring to Netanyahu and United States President Trump.
Israel has been found to have committed genocide in Gaza by multiple international and human rights organisations, including a United Nations Commission inquiry in September.
