India and Israel have elevated their partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership, agreeing to enhance cooperation in defense and artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day visit to Israel, where he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced over a dozen bilateral agreements.
Key agreements include advancements in cybersecurity, space exploration, and economic cooperation. Israel will permit an additional 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years, and India will introduce its UPI digital payment system to Israel, fostering digital finance collaboration. Both leaders also condemned terrorism and expressed support for peace initiatives in Gaza.
The visit, Modi's second to Israel, aims to balance India's foreign policy objectives amidst its relationships with Middle Eastern nations. Modi visited Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, and addressed the Knesset, reaffirming India's solidarity with Israel and condemning the October 2023 Hamas-led attack.