Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed to meet in the near future, officials from Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed on Wednesday. The agreement came following a “warm and friendly” telephone conversation between the two leaders, signaling continued momentum in the strategic partnership between the countries.
Netanyahu’s upcoming visit is expected to follow a series of high-level ministerial exchanges earlier this year. Ministers from both sides, including Israel’s Haim Katz (Tourism), Nir Barkat (Economy and Industry), Avi Dichter (Agriculture and Food Security), and Bezalel Smotrich (Finance), visited India to enhance bilateral cooperation. During these visits, both nations progressed toward signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) already inked and Terms of Reference (TOR) for the FTA agreed upon during Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Israel last month.
Reports suggesting that Netanyahu postponed his India trip due to security concerns after the Delhi blasts were dismissed by Israeli sources, who reiterated their “full confidence” in India’s security arrangements. Both sides are now coordinating on dates for the prime minister’s visit.
This visit is expected to further strengthen India-Israel cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and strategic sectors, building on decades of diplomatic and defense collaboration. Observers note that the timing reflects India’s growing role in the Middle East and Israel’s desire to deepen economic and technological ties with Asia’s third-largest economy.
As discussions progress, the upcoming meeting between Modi and Netanyahu is likely to focus on finalizing the FTA framework, boosting defense cooperation, and exploring joint initiatives in technology and agriculture.
The announcement underscores the high priority both countries place on their bilateral relationship, signaling a new phase of strategic engagement.
