Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to translate what he described as 'immense' support for Israel in India into deeper security, economic and other bilateral ties. According to reports from Clash Report, Netanyahu made these remarks during a video conversation, highlighting his latest discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Israeli leader referred to Modi as his 'friend' and described India as a 'small' country of 1.4 billion people, a formulation that appears to underscore the scale and influence of the world's most populous nation. 'This week, I had another very friendly conversation with my friend Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, a 'small' country of 1.4 billion people,' Netanyahu stated. 'Support for Israel there is immense. We are translating it into security and economic relations,' he added, emphasizing the practical steps being taken to deepen the relationship.
The two countries have significantly expanded their bilateral cooperation through concrete agreements and initiatives. According to the official statement, 17 agreements and documents were signed in February 2026 covering areas including artificial intelligence, trade, investment, education, manufacturing, culture, maritime heritage and agriculture. The leaders also agreed to fast-track a trade deal and expand cooperation in defence, including joint development and production of military hardware. This comprehensive framework demonstrates the practical steps being taken to translate the strong diplomatic relationship into tangible economic and security benefits for both nations. The partnership has evolved into a Special Strategic Partnership spanning agriculture, water, defence, trade, technology, and innovation cooperation, as elevated by Modi's February 2026 visit to Israel.
Netanyahu and Modi have outlined an ambitious vision for co-development, co-production and co-scaling of technologies across multiple sectors including AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, space, cyber technologies and advanced manufacturing. As reported by Clash Report, the leaders emphasized that India's scale, manufacturing capabilities and ability to take solutions to the masses complement Israel's exceptional innovation ecosystem. The partnership extends beyond bilateral cooperation, with plans to jointly take innovative, affordable and scalable solutions to third-country markets, particularly across the Global South. This collaborative approach aligns with India's Viksit Bharat @2047 goal of becoming a developed nation by Independence centenary, requiring sustained high growth and leadership in future technologies.
The latest comments follow a recent conversation between Modi and Netanyahu on progress in the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. According to an official statement, the two leaders reviewed sustained progress in bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors. Netanyahu claimed that Israel enjoys 'absolutely crazy support' among Indians despite what he described as global efforts to delegitimise Israel, emphasizing the depth of popular support for the relationship. The leaders also exchanged views on developments in West Asia and agreed to remain in touch, with the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, and the India-Israel Joint Working Plan for 2026 providing foundations for the next chapter of cooperation.
The India-Israel partnership faces new challenges as the United States pressures Netanyahu to publicly condemn militant settlers who have besieged Palestinians in their homes in the occupied West Bank. According to Reuters, White House officials are pressing Netanyahu to publicly condemn the settlers' actions, with Washington beginning to protest after learning that the home of a Palestinian-American was among those targeted. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, on Thursday condemned settlers besieging a Palestinian home as 'Israeli terrorists', marking a significant shift in American diplomatic language. A U.S. official and an Israeli official confirmed that White House officials are pressing for public condemnation, with one official stating 'A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration's goal to achieve peace in the region'. Netanyahu has not commented on the siege in Qusra and his office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
