PM Modi Israel Visit Highlights: PM Modi meets Fauda cast in Tel Aviv, says ‘thankfully, no undercover work’

India and Israel concluded the first round of negotiations for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday. The first round of negotiations for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was held from 23 to 26 February 2026 in New Delhi.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) were signed in November 2025, establishing a structured framework for discussions on identified areas to enhance trade and economic cooperation.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife, Sara, are at the Tel Aviv airport to send off Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he departs for India after a 2-day visit to the country.

When asked if India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was discussed between PM Modi and Israeli PM Netanyahu, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that it was discussed at length.

“Obviously, the regional situation does weigh on the progress of the initiative, and relationships between different countries that potentially lie on the IMEC corridor need to be in a certain state in order for the initiative to make progress. Notwithstanding that, there are countries taking steps in their national capacities to work on components of IMEC, which will eventually contribute to the corridor as a whole. Those steps are not necessarily dependent on the entire regional situation being amenable to rolling out the initiative as a whole. Of course, it is the responsibility of all concerned parties to make every effort necessary to ensure that we arrive at a situation where this extremely important initiative can move forward. Israel, even though it is not a formal member of IMEC at present, is potentially a very important actor in the success of this corridor. We aim to remain engaged with Israel and with all the other parties to see how we can realise its full potential.”

PM Narendra Modi met the Fauda cast in Tel Aviv during his visit to Israel. Sharing a selfie with the cast, PM Modi said, “Thankfully, this interaction required only a selfie, no undercover work! #Fauda”

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has informed in a press conference that the prime minister is now meeting some prominent members of the Indian Jewish community in Jerusalem and a group of Indologists.

After meeting the Indian-Jewish diaspora, PM Modi will also meet a few personalities from the field of culture, including some personalities from the area of film, including some cast members of the TV serial ‘Fauda’.

PM Narendra Modi held extensive bilateral talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Here’s what they discussed during the bilateral talks:

• Discussions included areas of technology and innovation, AI and critical minerals, defence and security, trade and economy, labour mobility and education, blue economy, agriculture and health.
• They also discussed issues of regional and global interest.
• Both leaders announced elevating the relationship to India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity.
• Several outcomes including in the areas of technology, science, trade, finance, AI, agriculture, blue economy, labour mobility, education and culture were also finalised.

PM Narendra Modi asserted India’s support to peace in Gaza as he said that humanity must never become a victim of conflict.

He said, “India’s vision is clear that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a route to peace. India has supported such efforts. In future too, India will continue to cooperate and have dialogue with all nations.”

Speaking candidly at the joint press statement with PM Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu told PM Modi that he has an amazingly efficient government.

“You have an amazingly efficient government. What you can do with one minister and one ambassador…The meeting of minds and hearts that we have had here will also continue in this remarkable G2G that is long overdue and will create an even greater boost to the enormous benefits that we can bring to each other,” he said.

Addressing a joint press briefing with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi says, “We will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the visit as “an amazing conclusion to an amazing visit,” calling it short but extraordinarily productive and deeply moving.

Netanyahu said, “This is an amazing visit, an amazing conclusion to an amazing visit. It was short but extraordinarily productive and also extraordinarily moving. I think there wasn’t a dry eye left in Israel after your moving statement yesterday in the Knesset. I can tell you that since then we have also had the opportunity to not only look deep into our hearts but also into our remarkable minds that we have in our two countries.”

After holding delegation-level talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi addressed a joint press conference with the Israeli prime minister and said,” Shalom! I thank PM Netanyahu for extending a warm welcome to me and my delegation.”

“Nine years ago, I got the opportunity to visit Israel for the first time. After 9 years, visiting Israel again is a moment of pride for me. Yesterday, I was awarded the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’. I dedicate this award to 140 crore Indians and the India-Israel friendship.”

On PM Modi’s visit to Israel, Israeli Minister Gila Gamliel said it was great seeing the two prime ministers meeting to strenghten the relationship. “We are really excited to see that PM Modi came to Israel. The great relationship between our two Prime Ministers, Netanyahu and Modi, and to strengthen our great relations between our countries. You will see today that all the ministers who are coming today to sign agreements between Israel and India, to strengthen the relations on agriculture, AI, cybersecurity, about a lot of things and issues about defence and a lot of things that we can share together because are best friends. So, thank you very much, and let’s have this deep connection between our two people and our great two PMs.”

On PM Modi’s visit to Israel, Israeli Minister Yoav Kisch said that it was ‘amazing’ to see the Indian prime minister in the country to bolster ties between them.

“For us, it is an amazing visit to see Modi coming here and speaking in the Parliament. I think it shows the strong relationship between both countries and also shows the huge potential of future relationship. I think India, during the conference that you led, positioned very good and we are looking forward to work together on that.”

He also says, “The pipeline right now is that we are looking into systems of personal learning. So, it is securing the pupil all that he needs in AI and working together and we are comparing what India has and Israel has. We will try to push forward the best system.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a delegation level talks in Jerusalem.

PM Modi met Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, February 26, and the two leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity.

PM Modi invited Herzog to India and said, “I warmly invite you to visit India, and when you come, don’t limit your visit to just Delhi, but take out more time to travel to other parts of India also.”

On his part, Herzog said India is an essential part of the great future of the Middle East.

Under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, PM Modi also planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens in Tel Aviv.

As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to simmer, PM Narendra Modi will meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for delegation-level talks with him. The talks may feature Gaza peace initiative and developments in West Asia.

On day 2 of his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began by paying homage at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. He also held bilateral engagements with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. It will be followed by delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The visit will also feature the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and joint press statements. Concluding his engagements, PM Modi will interact with prominent members of the Indian-Jewish community in Israel.