“India Stands Firmly With Israel, Modi, conferred with the highest honour of the Knesset “Speaker of the Knesset Medal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Israeli parliament Knesset delivered an extremely strong message on terror, meeting his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu — who built his image as a custodian of Israel’s national security — on his own ground. In his address – a first by an Indian Prime Minister in the Israeli parliament and a marquee event of the visit — PM Modi re-affirmed that India stands with Israel in its battle against terror. PM being conferred with the highest honour of the Knesset “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” at the Knesset of Israel on February 25, 2026. Before addressed the Israel parliament he reached at Knesset plaza memorial and paid tributes to martyrs.
PM Modi – who reached Tel Aviv earlier today on a two-day state visit — drew a parallel between the Hamas attack of October 2023 in which around 1,200 people were killed and the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, in which around 175 people died. “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister began his address by thanking the Speaker for the special honour. He expressed gratitude for being bestowed with the “Speaker of The Knesset” medal, which he dedicated to the enduring friendship and shared democratic traditions of the two countries. Highlighting the strong bonds of friendship between India and Israel, Prime Minister noted that the two peoples share both ancient civilizational ties and a robust contemporary partnership based on technology, innovation, defence, security and strategic convergences. He stated that the vibrant people-to-people ties based on cooperation in agriculture, rural development, water management, sustainability and enterprise have imparted a dynamic outlook to the relationship. Underlining the historical connections and two-way movement of people between the two countries, Prime Minister stated that the Indian community in Israel and the Jewish diaspora in India have made significant contribution to progress in both countries.
Prime Minister highlighted India’s growth story and sought greater bilateral collaboration in the fields of trade, investment, infrastructure development, green growth, start-ups, digital solutions and emerging technologies, unlocking the innovation and creativity of the youth. Expressing satisfaction at the conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Treaty, he called for early finalisation of an ambitious Free Trade Agreement to realise the untapped trade potential.
“India’s connection to this land (Israel) is also written in blood and sacrifice. During the First World War, more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in this region. The cavalry charge at Haifa in September 1918 remains a significant chapter in military history,’ he added.
Addressing Knesset ahead of PM Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu also delved into history to describe the deep ties and shared culture of India and Israel, drawing parallels between the ancient civilisation of the Indus Valley and the Jordan Valley.
“The alliance between us is an enormous multiplier of our individual powers, enormous multiplier. It’s a multiplier of the spirit and the multiplier of deeds and capabilities,” he said.
“During my visit to Israel as Prime Minister, our two countries elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership. Our engagement has expanded in scale and scope across many sectors for the last few years,” PM Modi said.
The fast pace of India’s growing economy and Israel’s strength in innovation and technology, he said, makes for a perfect partnership.
“This creates a natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership. We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows and promoting joint infrastructure development,” PM Modi said.
He also referred to the India-middle east-Europe economic corridor — a project in the making that is expected to be a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and create fresh transit routes, energy pipelines and digital infrastructure for the member countries.
With his address, PM Modi enters the august list of the world leaders who addressed Knesset – several US presidents including Donald Trump, late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, and Argentine President Javier Milei.
During the two-day visit, PM Modi and Netanyahu are expected to review progress in strategic partnership, explore possibilities in expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management and trade and cultural ties.
Trade between the two countries — to the tune of S$200 million in 1992, when diplomatic relations were established between New Delhi and Tel Aviv — has increased to US$10.77 billion in 2022-23.
This time, the buzz is that deals to the tune of $9 billion are going to be signed between the India and Israel on defence and security.(updated on 25th Feb 2026)
