Israel has said it is working with India to set a new date for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit after reports emerged that the trip was postponed due to security concerns.
In a post on X, Netanyahu’s office said, “The PM has full confidence in India's security under PM Modi, and teams are already coordinating a new visit date.” The post also stated that “Israel's bond with India” and the relationship between the prime ministers of both nations are “very strong”.
According to Israeli media outlet i24NEWS, the visit was delayed after the recent terror attack in New Delhi, the deadliest in more than a decade. The attack killed at least 15 people and injured many others. The report said Netanyahu was expected to travel to India by the end of this year but will now look for a new date next year, depending on security assessments.
If confirmed, this will be the third time Netanyahu has cancelled a planned visit to India this year. He last travelled to India seven years ago, during a six-day visit from January 14 to 19 in 2018. That trip was the second visit by an Israeli prime minister to the country.
Following the blast near the Red Fort, Netanyahu had expressed condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India. In a message shared on X, he called India and Israel ancient civilisations rooted in “eternal truths” and said terror attacks would not weaken the resolve of either nation.
He wrote, “To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time.”
He added, “India and Israel are ancient civilizations that stand on eternal truths. Terror may strike our cities, but it will never shake our souls. The light of our nations will outshine the darkness of our enemies.”
Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Netanyahu on Sunday during his three-day visit to Israel.