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Modi's Israel visit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a two-day state visit to Israel on Feb. 25-26, 2026.
“upgrading ties to “special strategic relations.””
Israeli and many Indian outlets framed the trip as a major upgrade in India–Israel ties, emphasizing technology, defence and trade cooperation.
Modi received ceremonial honours during the visit.
He met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
He addressed the Knesset amid events billed as an innovation showcase focused on AI, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
The visit included plans for new centres of excellence and bilateral agreements.
Israeli coverage presented the trip as historic and aimed at elevating the relationship to 'special strategic relations'.
Indian mainstream outlets highlighted the warm reception, joint initiatives on defence and science, and ongoing FTA talks as concrete outcomes of the visit.
Modi Gaza visit criticism
Modi’s public remarks and the itinerary drew sustained criticism because he did not directly condemn Israeli actions in Gaza or press Israel on civilian deaths, a silence highlighted by several outlets and opposition leaders at home.
TRT World reports Modi "made no public criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza or the occupied West Bank," and Indian opposition figures such as Priyanka Gandhi had urged him to mention the deaths in Gaza - a demand repeated in coverage by Hindustan Times and Gulf News.
Other outlets record Modi offering condolences for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and endorsing a UN Security Council-backed Gaza peace initiative, but critics said those remarks did not meet calls to acknowledge Gaza’s humanitarian toll.
Defence and technology cooperation
Coverage focused on an acceleration of defence and technology cooperation, a major objective of the trip that critics say has real consequences given India’s role as a leading buyer of Israeli arms.
“A classified defense framework is expected to deepen military cooperation — possibly giving India access to sensitive systems such as Israel’s laser-based Iron Beam.”
The Jerusalem Post and other Israeli outlets highlighted a classified defence framework and potential access to advanced systems, while TRT World and Dainik Jagran cited reporting of Israeli drones, joint ventures such as an Adani–Elbit tie, and SIPRI‑based figures indicating India accounted for a large share of Israeli defence exports.
Several sources also referenced reporting that arms‑related transfers and defence‑industry links continued during the Gaza war, a point that fuels criticism of the trip’s timing.
Reactions to diplomatic visit
Domestically and internationally, the visit produced sharply divergent reactions.
Supporters and Israeli officials hailed the strategic payoff.
Opponents in India and several international commentators warned the trip risks legitimising Israeli policy amid reports of heavy civilian casualties in Gaza.
Indian opposition leaders called the visit a betrayal of Palestinian concerns and urged Modi to raise Gaza casualties.
International outlets noted India’s broader balancing act with Gulf states and Iran and recalled India’s past abstentions or positions at UN votes as context for critics’ unease.
Press freedom and protests
A final thread in coverage highlights press freedom, domestic protest and the political costs of the trip.
“India has ordered X (formerly Twitter) to block access to the work of Azad Essa ... the government says the takedown is based on legal prohibitions; Essa says it is retaliation for his reporting on deepening India–Israel ties.”
Investigative and alternative outlets reported measures to restrict critical voices and protests tied to the visit.
The Canary says India ordered X to block the work of a journalist who reported on India–Israel ties and argues this fits a broader pattern of pressure on critical reporting.
Indian outlets record street and parliamentary protest and arrests.
Other pieces note India’s concern to balance Israel ties with Gulf relationships that depend on Indian labour and investment.