In a striking gesture ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, was lit up in the colours of the Indian flag — a symbolic salute to a partnership that has steadily grown in strength and warmth.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared on X a nighttime image of the parliament building bathed in the Indian tricolour. The illumination comes as PM Modi begins a two-day state visit to Israel on February 25.
The move is being seen as both a tribute to him and as a reflection of the expanding India-Israel bilateral ties.
PM Modi’s visit — his second to Israel in nine years — aims to further deepen defence and trade cooperation. During his landmark 2017 trip, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership. The upcoming round of talks is expected to upgrade that understanding into a special strategic partnership.
“The two countries have been reliable partners over the years and it has been proven in hours of crises. This is only being formally recognised during PM Modi’s visit,” sources cited by news agency PTI said.
The upgraded framework is expected to pave the way for joint development of advanced defence systems and a formal understanding of standing by each other’s side in times of need.
PM Modi will be received at the airport by his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his wife, Sara. The two leaders are scheduled to hold a one-to-one meeting before proceeding to Jerusalem.
One of the highlights of the visit will be PM Modi’s address to the Knesset — a rare honour reserved for select global leaders. He is also slated to attend a technology exhibition featuring Israeli innovation and meet top executives. Netanyahu will host a private dinner in his honour during the trip.
On Thursday, PM Modi will visit Yad Vashem memorial centre to pay tributes to Holocaust victims before meeting Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed, particularly for defence cooperation. “As part of the agreement, a secrecy mechanism will be established that will open several new categories so far unavailable,” sources told PTI.
Local media reports indicate discussions on air defence systems, including possible integration into Israel’s laser-based air defence system, Or Eitan.
Beyond defence, agreements are also expected in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said the visit “will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies”.
(With inputs from PTI)
