JERUSALEM (Feb 25, 2026) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rare and roaring welcome in Israel’s Parliament today, with members of the Knesset chanting his name and giving him a standing ovation during his two-day state visit.

Key Highlights

• A "Wondrous" Alliance: PM Benjamin Netanyahu described the relationship as a "wondrous friendship," referring to PM Modi as a "brother" and a "great champion" of the Israel-India partnership.
• Hindi Welcome: Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana greeted the Prime Minister in Hindi, saying, "Jerusalem me aapka swagat hai" (Welcome to Jerusalem).
• Deepening Ties: Netanyahu noted that the two nations have successfully doubled trade and tripled cooperation since their last major diplomatic milestone.

The Strategic Agenda

The visit serves as a catalyst for several high-level economic and security goals:

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Negotiators are finalizing terms following a preliminary investment pact signed in late 2025.
• Core Cooperation: Talks are focusing on defense, water management, agriculture, and innovation.
• Strategic Alignment: Both leaders discussed shared global challenges, reaffirming their commitment as "resilient democracies."

Future Outlook

This visit marks a definitive shift toward a long-term strategic partnership, moving beyond buyer-seller dynamics into deep technological and economic integration.