Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said India and Israel are preparing to deepen cooperation across economic, diplomatic and security sectors ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the country.
Speaking at the start of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu described Modi as a “personal friend” and underlined the strengthening strategic partnership between the two countries in recent years. His remarks were shared by the Prime Minister’s Office in Israel.
Netanyahu confirmed that Modi will address the Knesset during the visit, marking a key highlight of the trip. The two leaders are also scheduled to attend an innovation-focused event in Jerusalem and jointly visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial.
This will be Modi’s second visit to Israel, following his historic 2017 trip — the first ever by an Indian prime minister. That visit marked a significant shift in bilateral ties, with India de-hyphenating its relations with Israel and Palestine and expanding cooperation in defence, agriculture, water management and technology.
According to Netanyahu, talks during the upcoming visit will focus on expanding collaboration in advanced technology sectors, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Both sides are expected to review progress in existing partnerships and explore new avenues for cooperation in innovation and research.
Netanyahu also outlined a broader regional framework that envisions closer coordination among India, select Arab countries, African nations, Greece, Cyprus and other Asian partners. He said the proposed cooperation would bring together countries with shared strategic interests to counter radical forces and promote regional stability.
Modi and Netanyahu have maintained regular contact in recent years and have previously visited each other’s countries, reflecting the growing depth of bilateral engagement.
The visit comes amid ongoing international discussions related to the expanded “Board of Peace” initiative, though specific details about India’s role in the initiative have not yet been disclosed.