By Standing inside the chamber of the Knesset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a message that linked Israel’s security concerns to a wider global challenge. “Terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere,” he said, framing the October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas not as an isolated incident but as part of a broader threat confronting democracies across continents.
Condemning what he described as a “barbaric terrorist attack,” Modi expressed solidarity with the people of Israel. Referring to the October 7 strike by Hamas, he told Israeli lawmakers, “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.” His remarks were met with applause from members of the Israeli Parliament, reflecting the warmth that has come to define ties between the two nations in recent years.
The Prime Minister’s address combined empathy with strategic messaging. While reiterating India’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms, he also signalled that New Delhi sees its partnership with Israel as central to navigating a turbulent geopolitical landscape. “In today’s uncertain world, a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance,” he said, underlining cooperation in security and technology.
During his visit, the Israeli Parliament conferred upon Modi the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal,” its highest honour. The award recognised what Israeli leaders described as his personal role in elevating bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Modi recalled that his first visit to Israel was in 2006 as Chief Minister of Gujarat, and that in 2017 — during his historic trip as Prime Minister — relations were formally upgraded, expanding collaboration in defence, agriculture, water management and innovation.
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Economic cooperation featured prominently in his speech. Modi highlighted ongoing efforts to negotiate an ambitious Free Trade Agreement, arguing that current trade volumes do not reflect the full potential of the relationship. He pointed to India’s recent trade pacts with partners in Europe and West Asia as evidence of New Delhi’s push to deepen global economic integration. A Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year, he said, would offer greater predictability and confidence to businesses on both sides.
Projecting India’s economic trajectory, Modi asserted that the country, currently among the fastest-growing major economies, is on course to become one of the world’s top three economies in the near future. He positioned Israel as a natural partner in that growth story, calling it a “powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership.”
In a gesture aimed at reinforcing cultural bonds, Modi also spoke about India’s long-standing Jewish community. He noted that Jewish people have lived in India for centuries without facing persecution or discrimination, preserving their traditions while contributing fully to Indian society. The reference underscored a civilisational link that both governments frequently highlight.
By weaving together condemnation of terror, economic ambition and historical ties, Modi’s address sought to present the India-Israel partnership as both principled and pragmatic — rooted in shared democratic values and shaped by converging strategic interests in an increasingly volatile world.
