{"id":67745,"date":"2026-02-27T20:04:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=67745"},"modified":"2026-02-27T20:06:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:36:38","slug":"pm-visit-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-02-2026\/pm-visit-israel","title":{"rendered":"PM Visit to Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><br><strong><br>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Prime Minister <strong>paid an official visit to Israel.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In a historic first, <\/strong>Prime Minister Modi addressed the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Outcomes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Both nations <strong>elevated their relationship to Special Strategic Partnership.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Joint Commission\u00a0 on Science and Technology has been elevated to <strong>Ministerial level.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Initiative to collaborate in Critical and Emerging Technologies <\/strong>led by National Security Advisors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>20 Joint <strong>Fellowships in Agricultural Research.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quota of up to <strong>50,000 Indian workers over the next 5 years.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Both nations also signed 17 pacts,<\/strong> the focus of the visit has been on technology, including in the area of artificial intelligence, cyber security, innovation research and startups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The two sides also <strong>vowed to expand their already close defence partnership by working towards joint development and joint production<\/strong> under the framework of the<strong> transfer of technologies.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India and Israel also discussed the implementation of the <strong>India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) <\/strong>and cooperation under the framework of<strong> I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of the Visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Elevating Bilateral Ties to a \u201cSpecial Strategic Partnership\u201d: <\/strong>The upgradation of relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership reflects deeper cooperation across defence, technology, trade, and people-to-people ties.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expanded Cooperation in Strategic &amp; Emerging Technologies: <\/strong>Both countries agreed to launch major cooperation in critical and emerging technologies including AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These areas align with India\u2019s goals like Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) and support Israel\u2019s strengths as a global innovation hub.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defence and Security Collaboration: <\/strong>The two sides agreed to expand collaboration from merely procurement to joint development, joint production, and technology transfer of defence systems.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These moves strengthen India\u2019s defence capabilities and deepen security partnerships amid global uncertainties.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Engagement &amp; Trade Initiatives: <\/strong>The visit accelerated economic cooperation:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Progress toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reaffirmed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A financial dialogue was launched.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discussions included linking India\u2019s UPI payments system with Israel\u2019s payment infrastructure to boost financial connectivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Context of Regional Tensions: <\/strong>The timing of the visit amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, threats of conflict involving Iran, and wider geopolitical instability gave it added significance.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It signalled India\u2019s intent to be an engaged global actor that advances its strategic interests while promoting peace and stability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India and Israel Bilateral Relations &amp; Evolving Ties<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bilateral Relations: <\/strong>India announced its recognition of Israel in <strong>1950<\/strong>. Regular embassies opened in <strong>1992 <\/strong>when full diplomatic relations were established between the <strong>two countries.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bilateral relations were elevated to <strong>strategic partnership in 2017<\/strong> and were upgraded to <strong>Special Strategic Partnership after this visit.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In 2022-23,<\/strong> the two countries jointly celebrated<strong> 30 years of the elevation of bilateral ties to full diplomatic ties.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defense &amp; Security: <\/strong>Israel has been a <strong>key supplier of advanced technology<\/strong> from <strong>AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System)<\/strong> radars and drones to missile and surveillance systems making it one of<strong> India\u2019s largest defense suppliers.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bilateral Trade: India is Israel\u2019s 2nd trading partner in Asia <\/strong>and the <strong>7th largest <\/strong>globally.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 the bilateral trade (excluding defense) was US$ 6.53 billion and US$3.75 billion respectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Investment: <\/strong>During April 2000 \u2013 March 2024, Israel&#8217;s direct FDI into India was U.S. $334.2 million.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There are over 300 investments from Israel in India mainly in the <strong>high-tech domain, agriculture and water.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agriculture &amp; Water Management:<\/strong> In 1993, the first Agreement on Cooperation in Agriculture was signed.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2006: <\/strong>Comprehensive Work Plan on Agriculture launched (3-year cycles) \u2013 implemented through MASHAV (Israel\u2019s Agency for International Development Cooperation).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2025: <\/strong>Revised Agriculture Cooperation Agreement signed, expanding areas of partnership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> Indo-Israeli Centers of Excellence (CoE)<\/strong> demonstrate Israeli expertise, technologies and innovation in the horticultural field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Science, Technology, Counter-Terrorism &amp; Innovation: <\/strong>India-Israel cooperation in Science &amp; Technology (S&amp;T) is overseen by the <strong>Joint Committee on S&amp;T, <\/strong>established under the Agreement of Science &amp; Technology cooperation signed in <strong>1993.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A US$ 40 million India-Israel Industrial R&amp;D<\/strong> and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) for joint projects was also set up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multilateral Cooperation: <\/strong>Both are active members of the<strong> I2U2 group<\/strong> (India, Israel, USA, UAE), focusing on economic and space collaboration with projects like food parks and space-based environmental tools.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance for India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Defence &amp; security: Israel <\/strong>is a<strong> reliable partner<\/strong> for <strong>critical technologies<\/strong> for India and can be instrumental in India\u2019s Self Reliance and Make in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Agriculture &amp; water:<\/strong> Israel is known for its <strong>model of innovation, water conservation, and high-yield farming,<\/strong> India can adopt these technologies with collaboration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geopolitics: <\/strong>It is an important<strong> <\/strong>strategic partner for India in West Asia that complements <strong>India\u2019s Act West policy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The visit is being widely viewed as a milestone moment in India-Israel relations, underscoring growing strategic trust, deepening economic cooperation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is seen as transforming long-standing ties into a forward-leaning, multidimensional strategic alliance with implications for security, economic growth, and global diplomacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/173046\/OPS\/G7GFK0ELK.1+GS2FL58K4.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Prime Minister paid an official visit to Israel. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Major Outcomes <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Both nations elevated their relationship to Special Strategic Partnership. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Joint Commission\u00a0 on Science and Technology has been elevated to Ministerial level. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Initiative to collaborate in Critical and Emerging Technologies led by National Security Advisors. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/27-02-2026\/pm-visit-israel \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67745"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67745\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67748,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67745\/revisions\/67748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}