No double standards on terrorism: PM in Israel

Addressing the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), PM Modi emphasised India’s solidarity with Israel in the face of terror, saying, “No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time, and we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance with no double standards.” Recalling attacks such as the 26/11 Mumbai strikes, which also claimed Israeli lives, he highlighted the shared challenges both nations have faced and the need for coordinated global action against terrorism.

Opening his speech with warm greetings to the leaders and members of the Israeli Parliament, he highlighted the long-standing ties between India and Israel, paying tribute to victims of terror worldwide, including those lost in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, where Israeli citizens were also among the casualties.

PM Modi emphasised the need for coordinated global action against terrorism, noting that violence anywhere threatens peace everywhere. He praised Israel’s historic Abraham Accords and expressed India’s support for the Gaza peace initiative endorsed by the UN Security Council, highlighting its potential to foster durable peace and address the Palestinian issue.

Beyond security, the PM celebrated the rich cultural and historical links between the two nations. He recalled centuries-old trade connections, the contributions of Jewish communities in India, and Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the region during World War-I.

Honouring acts of humanity during the Holocaust, PM Modi acknowledged the Maharaja of Nawanagar’s efforts to rescue Jewish children, with a statue recently unveiled in Moshav Nevatim commemorating this bravery.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister extended greetings from 1.4 billion Indians and reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace, development, and mutual respect in the region.

The visit marked a landmark moment in India-Israel relations. PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to make a standalone official visit to Israel and address the Knesset, strengthening bilateral ties established over two decades ago.

India formally established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, under then-Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. However, no Indian Prime Minister had visited the Jewish state until Modi’s historic trip in 2017, making this a long-awaited milestone in the diplomatic history of the two nations.

Welcoming PM Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed India as “a gigantic power of almost one and a half billion people,” emphasising Israel’s strategic role as a “gigantic” partner. “The alliance between us is an enormous multiplier of our individual powers,” Netanyahu said, highlighting the synergy between the two nations.

Netanyahu also referenced the now-famous “Modi hug,” remarking, “Prime Minister Modi’s personal embrace is something special… it reflects the warmth of the tie between our two peoples.”

Addressing the Knesset, Netanyahu described PM Modi as “a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, and a great leader on the world stage,” calling the moment “unprecedented and deeply moving.” Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana welcomed the Indian PM in Hindi, saying, “Jerusalem mein aapka swagat hai, Knesset mein aapka swaat hai,” prompting enthusiastic chants of “Modi, Modi” from Israeli lawmakers.

The visit not only marked a historic first but also symbolised the deepening strategic, cultural, and economic ties between India and Israel, decades after the two nation’s formalized diplomatic relations.

In the years that followed, the two leaders have maintained close communication. PM Modi congratulated Netanyahu on his re-election as Israel’s Prime Minister for a sixth term on January 11, 2023, and Netanyahu extended his congratulations to PM Modi on the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission on August 24, 2023.

The leaders have also coordinated closely during crises. Netanyahu called PM Modi on October 10, 2023, to provide updates after the October 7 terror attack, and again on April 24, 2025, to offer condolences following the Pahalgam terror incident. During the Israel-Iran conflict that erupted on June 13, 2025, the two Prime Ministers spoke multiple times, underscoring their ongoing strategic dialogue.

Their communications have also covered broader regional and diplomatic developments, including discussions on the Gaza peace initiative in October 2025 and updates on regional security on December 10, 2025. Most recently, the two leaders exchanged New Year greetings on January 7, 2026, while discussing the regional situation and reaffirming the importance of their close partnership.

These interactions highlight not only the personal rapport between PM Modi and PM Netanyahu but also the evolving India-Israel partnership, built on shared strategic interests, technological collaboration, and mutual support during times of crisis.