Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a warm telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 10, 2025, during which the leaders reaffirmed the strength of their strategic partnership and agreed to meet in person "very soon," according to a statement from Netanyahu's office. The call, initiated by Netanyahu, focused on reviewing progress in bilateral ties, including enhanced cooperation in defense, technology, and trade, while both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all forms and reiterated their zero-tolerance stance. Modi expressed India's continued support for a just and durable peace in West Asia, including the early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan, amid ongoing regional tensions involving Israel, Hamas, and broader Iranian proxies. This dialogue underscores the deepening rapport between the two nations, which have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership since Modi's landmark 2017 visit to Israel.
The anticipated in-person meeting builds on a flurry of high-level exchanges throughout 2025, including visits by Israeli ministers such as Tourism's Haim Katz, Economy and Industry's Nir Barkat, Agriculture's Avi Dichter, and Finance's Bezalel Smotrich, who inked a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during his September trip to New Delhi. These engagements have accelerated momentum toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal signing the Terms of Reference (TOR) for negotiations during his November visit to Tel Aviv, paving the way for phased talks potentially yielding an "early harvest" package on low-contention items like high-tech goods and agritech. Bilateral trade, valued at around $10 billion annually and dominated by diamonds, defense equipment, and pharmaceuticals, is projected to double by 2030 under the FTA framework, bolstered by a modernized BIT that provides investor protections and marks Israel as India's first OECD partner in such an accord.
Informed sources in Jerusalem dismissed recent media speculation that Netanyahu had indefinitely postponed his India trip due to security concerns following a series of blasts in Delhi, emphasizing Israel's "full confidence" in India's robust security apparatus under Modi's leadership. Netanyahu's office highlighted ongoing coordination between the two sides to finalize dates, reflecting the resilience of ties forged through shared challenges like counter-terrorism and innovation ecosystems. Since 2017, defense cooperation has surged, with India emerging as Israel's largest arms buyer, procuring systems like the Barak-8 missiles and Heron drones amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
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The leaders' commitment to mutual visits aligns with broader diplomatic calendars, potentially positioning Netanyahu's trip for early 2026 to coincide with key milestones in FTA negotiations and joint ventures in semiconductors, cybersecurity, and water management. Netanyahu, in a recent Knesset address, praised Modi as an "old friend" whose support amid global anti-Semitism underscores the "unprecedented" backing from nations like India. This personal rapport, evident in Modi's 2023 G20 hosting of Netanyahu and virtual interactions during crises, has insulated the partnership from external pressures.
As India and Israel navigate a multipolar world, their collaboration extends to multilateral forums like the UN, where both advocate for reforms and counter shared threats. The impending summit could catalyze breakthroughs in emerging sectors such as AI and renewable energy, further cementing economic interdependence that has seen Israeli FDI in India reach $338 million since 2000. With bilateral trade poised for exponential growth, the Modi-Netanyahu axis exemplifies pragmatic diplomacy in fostering stability and prosperity across continents.
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