Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to convey New Year greetings and review progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Glad to speak with my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and convey New Year greetings to him and the people of Israel. We discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in the year ahead.”
The leaders also exchanged views on the regional situation and reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating terrorism.
“Also reaffirmed our shared commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism. India supports all efforts aimed at achieving a just and durable peace in the region,” PM Modi added.
Glad to speak with my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and convey New Year greetings to him and the people of Israel. We discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in the year ahead.
We also exchanged views on the regional situation and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 7, 2026
The conversation comes after several high-level exchanges between the two leaders in recent months.
In December, Netanyahu had called PM Modi to review bilateral cooperation and regional developments, including the second phase of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady advancement of the strategic partnership and agreed to deepen collaboration across key sectors for mutual benefit.
During that call, the two leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed continued coordination to support peace initiatives in the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed that discussions were underway to reschedule his postponed visit to India, initially planned for December.
Later, highlighting the growth of India-Israel relations in 2025, the Indian Embassy in Israel called the year one of “significant milestones,” noting high-level visits, the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and the finalisation of the Terms of Reference for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Economic engagement was further strengthened through platforms such as the India-Israel CEOs’ Forum and the India-Israel Business Forum, focusing on technology, innovation, agriculture, defence, energy, and investment facilitation.
Defence cooperation also advanced in 2025, with the signing of the Defence Cooperation MoU during the 17th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group on Defence in Tel Aviv.
Cultural and academic ties flourished as well, with initiatives such as International Yoga Day celebrations, the Holi-Purim Festival, Indian Film Festivals, the establishment of multiple ‘Bharat Corners’ at leading Israeli universities, and the creation of the India Chair at Tel Aviv University.
Ambassador of Israel to India, Reuven Azar, acknowledged 2025 as a “very special year” for bilateral ties and expressed optimism for the coming year, stating, “Indeed, 2025 was a very special year for Israel-India relations. Let’s make 2026 even better!”
ALSO READ | ‘Israel Might Not Exist Without Netanyahu’: Trump Praises Israeli PM After Talks In Florida
