Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Israel on Wednesday for a two day visit that both governments say will deepen ties, as fears grow over a possible military clash between the United States and Iran. Modi, a Hindu nationalist, was the first Indian prime minister ever to visit Israel in 2017, when he and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu famously walked barefoot together on a Haifa beach.
The two men remain in power nearly nine years later and describe each other as friends. During this visit they are expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence and defence cooperation at a time when Israel is seeking to expand its military exports. An Israeli government official said the trip would pave the way for new partnerships in many sectors, while a foreign ministry official said bilateral relations were close to a significant upgrade. Modi is also due to address the Knesset and lay a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
His visit comes as the United States deploys a large naval force near Iran’s coast ahead of possible strikes amid stalled talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Washington has also sent an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, bound for Israel’s shores. Analysts warn that any US attack on Iran could trigger retaliation against Israel and American bases in Gulf Arab states, where millions of Indian citizens live and send home billions of dollars in remittances.
Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi said India does not want conflict in the region and is likely to deliver that message during the trip. An Israeli foreign ministry official said discussions with a regional angle would probably feature in the talks.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Netanyahu described India as part of a future “axis” of like minded nations willing to confront what he called the “radical Shi’ite axis” led by Iran and an “emerging radical Sunni axis”. He said closer cooperation with partners such as India could strengthen Israel’s resilience and long term security.
Taneja noted that while India is interested in buying more Israeli defence technology, it is unlikely to formally join any alliance because of its long tradition of non alignment in global politics. New Delhi is expected instead to balance its strategic partnership with Israel with its economic ties to Gulf states and its concern for the safety of Indian expatriates across the Middle East.
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