India and Israel have taken a major step forward in their bilateral relationship, with Narendra Modi announcing the elevation of ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity” during his state visit to Israel on February 25–26, 2026.
The announcement, made jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marks a significant expansion of the strategic partnership first forged during Modi’s landmark 2017 visit—the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel—and Netanyahu’s return visit to India in 2018. Both leaders described the upgrade as a “historic decision,” reflecting the durability and growing ambition of the relationship.
Talks held in Jerusalem culminated in the signing of 16 agreements and memoranda of understanding, covering a wide range of priority sectors, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defence and security cooperation, agriculture, water management, health, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchanges.
A major outcome of the visit was the launch of the India–Israel Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership, designed to fast-track collaboration in areas such as AI, quantum technologies, and critical minerals. The two sides also agreed to scale up agricultural cooperation by expanding Israeli-supported Centres of Excellence to 100 across India, aimed at boosting productivity and farmer incomes.
In a significant step toward deeper economic integration, the leaders announced an agreement to enable the use of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel, facilitating seamless digital payments and strengthening people-to-people and business ties. Both countries also committed to accelerating negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to unlock greater trade and investment opportunities.
Addressing broader regional issues, PM Modi underscored that India’s security and economic interests are closely linked to peace and stability in the Middle East. He reiterated India’s support for peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts, including in Gaza, while emphasizing that “humanity must never become a casualty of conflict.”
PM Netanyahu hailed the upgraded partnership as one that has “stood the test of time,” highlighting shared democratic values and converging strategic goals. The visit also saw Modi address the Knesset and receive official honours, underlining the symbolic and civilizational depth of India–Israel relations.
With enhanced cooperation in high technology, defence co-development, innovation-driven growth, and expanded economic corridors, the new “Special Strategic Partnership” positions India and Israel as even closer allies on the global stage.
As PM Modi concludes his visit, the upgraded framework is expected to open fresh avenues of collaboration—transforming a long-standing friendship into a forward-looking strategic alliance.