In July 2017, Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to set foot on Israeli soil. While diplomatic relations between the two nations had been established in 1992, the relationship had long been kept “under the carpet”—a cautious balancing act dictated by India’s dependence on Arab oil and its historical commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Modi’s visit was not merely a diplomatic stopover; it was a seismic shift in international relations. By “de-hyphenating” India’s ties with Israel and Palestine, the visit signaled the emergence of a new, pragmatic Indian foreign policy and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and beyond.
1. The End of “Diplomatic Hesitation”
For decades, India’s Israel policy was characterized by a “look but don’t touch” approach. India benefited from Israeli military technology—most notably during the 1999 Kargil War—but avoided public displays of affection to prevent backlash from domestic constituencies and the Arab world.
Modi’s visit dismantled this taboo. By visiting Tel Aviv without a simultaneous stop in Ramallah (the seat of the Palestinian Authority), he signaled that India’s relationship with Israel would henceforth stand on its own merits. This “de-hyphenation” allowed India to pursue its national interests—security, technology, and food water—without being a hostage to the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
2. The Strategic Pillars of the Partnership
The impact of the visit was immediately visible through the elevation of the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This partnership is built on four critical pillars:
- Defense and Security: Israel has become one of India’s top three arms suppliers. Beyond buyer-seller dynamics, the visit paved the way for “Make in India” collaborations in defense, including the production of missiles (Barak-8), drones, and high-tech surveillance systems.
- Agriculture and Water Management: Israel, a world leader in arid-land agriculture, has established “Centers of Excellence” across India. The visit accelerated the adoption of drip irrigation and desalination technologies, crucial for India’s food security.
- Counter-Terrorism: Both nations view themselves as victims of cross-border terrorism fueled by religious extremism. The visit solidified intelligence-sharing mechanisms, creating a formidable front against global terror networks.
- Innovation and Technology: The launch of the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund ($40 million) signaled a shift toward a “knowledge-based” alliance.
3. Impact on Middle Eastern Dynamics
Modi’s embrace of Israel happened almost concurrently with India’s deepening ties with the Gulf monarchies, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This was a masterclass in “Link West” policy.
Historically, it was assumed that being close to Israel meant alienating the Arab world. Modi proved the opposite. By demonstrating that India is a reliable, powerful, and de-ideologized partner, India became a bridge-builder. This environment contributed to the eventual atmosphere that allowed the Abraham Accords (the normalization of ties between Israel and several Arab nations) to flourish.
The most significant geopolitical outcome of this realignment is the I2U2 Group (India, Israel, the UAE, and the USA), often referred to as the “Middle Eastern Quad.” This grouping focuses on joint investments in water, energy, transportation, and space, effectively integrating India into the security and economic architecture of West Asia.
4. Reshaping Global Multilateralism
The visit had a profound impact on how India conducts itself at the United Nations. Post-2017, India’s voting pattern at the UN shifted. While India still supports a two-state solution, it has moved away from reflexively voting against Israel on every resolution.
This shift signals the rise of Strategic Autonomy. India demonstrated to the global community—including the United States and China—that it would choose its partners based on contemporary reality rather than Cold War-era ideologies. It positioned India as a “pole” in a multipolar world, capable of maintaining a strategic partnership with the US, a defense relationship with Russia, and a deep-seated alliance with Israel simultaneously.
5. The “Techno-Diplomacy” Model
Modi’s visit highlighted a new trend in global politics: Techno-Diplomacy. In the 21st century, power is not just about military boots on the ground; it is about who controls the algorithms, the water-recycling patents, and the semi-conductor supply chains.
The India-Israel model is now seen as a blueprint for other developing nations. It shows how a middle-power (Israel) and a rising giant (India) can create a symbiotic relationship that bypasses traditional Western-centric power structures to solve domestic challenges like climate change and food scarcity.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Realism
Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017 was the moment India’s foreign policy “came of age.” It replaced the rhetoric of the past with the realism of the future.
The impact on global politics has been three-fold: it broke the binary of the Middle East conflict, it created a new economic corridor (I2U2) that connects South Asia to the Mediterranean, and it established India as a pragmatic power-broker. As the world moves toward an era of fragmented alliances, the India-Israel relationship stands as a testament to the power of strategic clarity over diplomatic tradition.
