India stands firmly with Israel: Modi
Supporting Israeli brutality in Gaza, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India stands firmly with Israel.” He made the remarks in his speech in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday (February 25). Incidentally, in this speech, Modi did not mention anything about the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people, but rather declared his support for Israel.
Notably, Modi received a standing ovation during his speech in the Knesset on the first day of his two-day visit to Israel. This is the first time that an Indian leader has addressed the Knesset. Modi said, “India stands firmly with Israel now and beyond.”
He called the attack by Hamas resistance fighters on October 7, 2023, “barbaric” and added, “No motive can justify the killing of civilians.” Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Modi at Ben Gurion International Airport. The two leaders exchanged greetings at a ceremony held there. In his Knesset address, Netanyahu thanked India for standing by Israel since October 7 and said, “The two countries have ‘common interests’. Modi is more than a friend to us, he is a brother.” Modi said, “India and Israel are trusted partners of each other and this relationship contributes to global stability and prosperity. We are committed to strengthening this relationship in many areas.” He described the relationship as crucial for trade and security, praising the synergy between the two countries in artificial intelligence, quantum technology and other areas. Notably, this is not Modi’s first visit to Israel. It was his first visit to Israel three years after coming to power in 2017. Netanyahu also visited India in 2018. In September 2025, during the visit of right-wing Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to India, the two countries signed a bilateral investment agreement aimed at expanding trade. From 2020 to 2024, India purchased Israeli weapons worth $250 million, making it the largest buyer of Israeli weapons. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $3.9 billion. In dollars.
Meanwhile, Modi has come under fire for his public support for Israel’s massacre in Gaza. Since the Israeli offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, at least 72,073 Palestinians have been killed and 1,71,756 injured. At least 615 people have been killed despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in effect last October.
