Emerging India-Israel alliance at the heart of a changing world order

Modi's Landmark Visit Seals Special Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day trip to Israel this week has marked a new chapter in the two nations' relationship, elevating their ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity."

During meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders signed 16 Memorandums of Understanding covering a wide array of fields, from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to agriculture, water management, and cultural exchanges.

This visit, Modi's second official one to Israel, builds on his landmark 2017 trip and Netanyahu's reciprocal visit to India in 2018, reflecting years of growing collaboration.

Bilateral trade has surged to around $3.9 billion, with a focus shifting toward high-value technology investments and joint ventures that leverage Israel's innovation prowess and India's manufacturing scale.

The partnership comes at a time when both countries seek to counter regional threats and foster economic growth through shared technological advancements.

Defense and Technology Deals Reshape Security Landscape

At the core of the alliance are groundbreaking defense agreements, including co-development and co-production of advanced missile defense systems like Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow, and the laser-based Iron Beam.

These deals, potentially worth up to $10 billion, also encompass drones, AI-enabled weapons, and cybersecurity, moving beyond mere procurement to full industrial integration and shared intellectual property.

Israel plans to transfer key technologies to India, enhancing its air defense against ballistic missiles, rockets, and drones, complementing systems like Russia's S-400.

Beyond military hardware, the pacts include recruiting up to 50,000 Indian workers to Israel to address labor shortages, alongside initiatives in semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space exploration.

"The future belongs to those who innovate, and Israel and India are bent on innovation. We are proud ancient civilizations, very proud of our past, but also absolutely determined to seize our future and we can do it better together," Netanyahu said alongside Modi.

This collaboration positions both nations as leaders in cutting-edge defense tech, with India gaining supply chain resilience and Israel expanding its global market reach.

Navigating Geopolitics in a Tense Middle East

India's deepening bond with Israel unfolds against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including U.S. military buildups and potential conflicts involving Iran.

While strengthening security ties with Israel, New Delhi maintains its multi-alignment strategy, balancing relations with Iran for energy needs, Gulf states for diaspora ties, and Arab nations.

Modi emphasized dialogue on issues like Gaza, supporting peaceful solutions and a two-state framework, while endorsing U.S. initiatives for regional stability.

Domestically, the partnership faces criticism in India from those viewing it as a departure from anti-colonial principles, though it aligns with New Delhi's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" vision for self-reliance by 2047.

In Israel, the alliance bolsters its position amid shifting global alliances, showcasing solidarity against terror threats.

Free-trade negotiations and economic pacts further underscore the partnership's role in fostering prosperity amid uncertainty.

This evolving India-Israel axis, forged through Modi's visit, 16 new agreements, and massive defense deals, exemplifies how strategic innovation and security cooperation are redefining alliances in a multipolar world, promising mutual benefits while navigating complex geopolitics.