We stand with Israel from this moment to beyond: PM Modi at Knesset

PM Modi said he did so both as India's prime minister and as a representative of an ancient civilisation, bringing with him the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians

In the first ever address by an Indian prime minister to Israel's Parliament, the Knesset, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India would stand with Israel “firmly, with full conviction, in this moment to beyond”.

 

“It is a privilege and an honour to stand before the Knesset. I do so as the Prime Minister of India, and also as a representative of one ancient civilisation. I bring with me the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians,” he said.

 

He added: “I am the first Prime Minister of India to address this Knesset. Nine years ago, I had the fortune to visit as the first Indian prime minister to travel to Israel. I am happy to be here again. I was born on the same day India formally recognised Israel.” 

Modi backs Israel, calls for peace in region

“No cause can justify the murder of civilians, and nothing can justify terrorism. India supports the Gaza peace initiative; it holds promise for a just and durable peace in the region,” PM Modi said, referring to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which rules Gaza, following the October 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli citizens.

 

 

“The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world in calling for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” he said.  

PM Modi highlights defence, innovation ties with Israel

“Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership. This creates a natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership. In today’s uncertain world, a strong defence partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance,” PM Modi said.   

Speaking on bilateral economic ties, PM Modi said: “India is emerging as a global centre for trade. In recent years, we have secured several major trade deals. The I2U2 framework between India, Israel and the US is foundational and of vital importance to us. Israel is often called the start-up nation, and India is also working to highlight our innovation and creativity.”

 

“Last week, we hosted the world’s largest and most democratised AI summit. Our aspirational spirit and alliances naturally align with Israel’s ecosystem,” he added.

 

Recognising Israel’s expertise in agricultural practices, Modi said: “Together, we have established 47 centres to train farmers to use transformative aspects of Israel’s systems, especially in water management.” 

Ancient civilisations, shared values

“We are both ancient civilisations, and it is perhaps no surprise that our civilisational traditions reveal philosophical parallels. Let us ensure that the friendship between India and Israel remains a source of strength in an uncertain world,” PM Modi said.  He also pointed to similiarities between Diwali and the Jewish observance of Hanukkah, which call for the lighting of lamps or candles, as well as the celebratory nature of festivals like Holi and Purim, both of which typically are close to each other on the Roman calendar.   Following his address, PM Modi was awarded the ‘Speaker of the Knesset’ medal, the Knesset's highest honour, making him the first global leader to receive the distinction. 

  In 2018, PM Modi was awarded the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest honour bestowed by Palestine on foreign leaders. He is among the few global leaders to have received top civilian honours from both Israel and Palestine.

Netanyahu praises Modi’s leadership

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described PM Modi as a “great friend of Israel” and praised his leadership while welcoming him in the chamber. Recalling Modi’s earlier visit, Netanyahu said the two leaders had once walked together along a water purification facility and added that bilateral ties had grown stronger since then.  

“India has stood out as a nation that has never persecuted Jews, only welcomed us. This will never be forgotten,” Netanyahu said. He added that during the period of Ottoman rule, Indian commanders had supported Jewish forces during liberation efforts. “In a world of antisemitism, India is an exception,” he said, adding that India had stood by Israel in times of need.

Knesset welcome, brief opposition walkout

 

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana welcomed PM Modi earlier in the evening with a “Namaste” and greeted him in Hindi, calling it a profound honour to host him. He said the Indian PM had reshaped key sectors such as public health and agriculture and described him as an inspiration. Members of the Knesset rose in applause as Ohana welcomed him to address the House. He also referred to the historical bonds between the two nations, including India’s role in providing refuge to Jewish communities in difficult periods.

 

At the start of the session, some Israeli opposition lawmakers briefly walked out to protest a separate procedural issue linked to invitations for the event. Opposition leaders later clarified that the walkout was not directed at PM Modi or his address.

 

Modi’s trip marked his second visit to Israel in nine years and reflected the continued expansion of ties between the two countries. During his first visit in 2017, India and Israel elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, paving the way for closer cooperation in defence, technology, agriculture and innovation.

 

Since then, defence cooperation has become a central pillar of the relationship, with Israel supplying India with a range of military platforms and systems. A defence cooperation agreement signed between both nations last year further reinforced these links.

 

Strategic coordination has also gained prominence as India works on developing an indigenous air defence architecture. New Delhi has shown interest in studying elements of Israel’s Iron Dome system as part of its broader shield initiative. 

 

Economic engagement has progressed alongside security ties. The two sides in November last year signed terms of reference to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, and the first round of negotiations commenced earlier this week. In September 2025, both countries also signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement to boost economic cooperation and investment flows.

 

Collaboration has expanded into areas such as cybersecurity, water management, scientific research, and agricultural technology. People-to-people ties remain an important dimension of the partnership, given that there are more than 41,000 members of the Indian diaspora in Israel.