Growing Domestic Backlash Over Modi’s Israel Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel after a nine-year hiatus has ignited a firestorm of criticism back home.

The visit has brought New Delhi’s evolving foreign policy under intense scrutiny, drawing sharp rebukes from various organizations and opposition parties who are questioning the Prime Minister's deepening ties with Tel Aviv.

The visit comes at a sensitive global juncture. While much of the international community is distancing itself from Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and military actions in Gaza, PM Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday (February 25) for a high-profile state visit.

Red Carpet Welcome in Tel Aviv
Upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, Prime Minister Modi was greeted with a red-carpet reception and a warm embrace from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Following a Guard of Honor, the two leaders traveled to Jerusalem to begin their two-day diplomatic mission.

Objectives of the Visit:

• Strengthening strategic economic ties.
• Enhancing defense cooperation.
• Advancing discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber security, and quantum technology.
• Progressing toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and updated security pacts.

The Contradiction in Diplomacy
Critics point to a glaring contradiction in India’s recent diplomatic stance. Just prior to this visit, India joined over a hundred nations in signing a statement condemning Israel's expansionist policies in the West Bank. This perceived "double standard" has fueled anger among Indian civil society and political rivals.

Internal Outcry and Strategic Ties
The backlash within India is multifaceted:

Opposition Criticism: Political rivals argue that the visit undermines India’s traditional support for the Palestinian cause.

Defense Concerns: India remains one of the largest buyers of Israeli weaponry. Controversy previously erupted in 2024 regarding Indian companies supplying arms during the Gaza conflict.

Ideological Alignment: Analysts suggest that the BJP government’s Hindu nationalist identity finds an ideological parallel in Israel’s Zionist statehood, further cementing the bond between the two administrations.

Economic Outlook
Despite the protests, bilateral cooperation remains robust. Last year, the two nations signed a new bilateral investment treaty.

Israel is now actively encouraging Indian infrastructure companies to invest in Israeli projects, signaling a shift from a purely defense-based relationship to a broader economic partnership.