Tel Aviv, Feb 25 (.) India and Israel are poised to significantly deepen their defence partnership, with negotiations underway for potential agreements as Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day state visit to Israel from February 25–26 at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The deal is estimated between USD 8 billion and USD 10 billion, according to sources.
While no formal announcements have been made by Israeli defence firms, sources indicate that the proposed deals could span advanced missile defence systems, drones and artificial intelligence-enabled military technologies.
The proposed agreements come in the aftermath of the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. If sources are to be believed, options are being examined across Israel’s multi-layered missile shield, including Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system, Iron Dome,Iron Beam, jointly developed by Rafael and Elbit Systems .
Particular attention is reportedly focused on Iron Dome and Iron Beam, especially given the rising threat posed by low-cost drones and short-range projectiles. However, none of the companies involved have confirmed specific contracts.
Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu outlined a broader geopolitical vision, a network of allied nations spanning the Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia to counter what he termed “radical axes.”
In remarks over the weekend, Netanyahu proposed what he described as a “hexagon of alliances” that would include Israel, India, Greece, Cyprus and others. The concept appears aimed at countering regional adversaries, particularly Iran and allied groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.
Calling India a “global power” and Modi a “personal friend,” Netanyahu said bilateral ties had “grown tighter” in recent years.
The proposed alliance framework loosely echoes the connectivity-driven vision of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which seeks to link India to Europe through the Middle East via infrastructure and trade corridors.
Prime Minister Modi is set to hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, address the Knesset, and participate in several high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
In his departure statement issued ahead of the visit, Modi described Netanyahu as a “dear friend” and underscored the importance of the trip in advancing ties between the two countries.
“India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years,” Modi said. “I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains.”
India and Israel elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2017, a move that accelerated collaboration in defence technology, agricultural innovation, water management, and start-up ecosystems. Since then, bilateral trade has expanded steadily, with both nations seeking to diversify economic engagement beyond traditional sectors such as diamonds and pharmaceuticals.
According to officials, the upcoming discussions between the two leaders will cover science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water resource management, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people exchanges. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on key regional and global developments.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the talks are likely to set new benchmarks in emerging technologies and joint research initiatives, reflecting a shared emphasis on innovation-driven growth.
“The visit represents the next phase of a partnership built on trust, technological collaboration and strategic convergence,” a senior official familiar with the discussions said. “Both sides are keen to institutionalize cooperation in cutting-edge sectors while expanding commercial and security ties.”
In a historic moment for parliamentary diplomacy, Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset. Calling the occasion “a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations,” Modi said he was honoured by the opportunity.
Observers note that the address will symbolically underscore the maturing political trust between New Delhi and Jerusalem and reinforce shared democratic values.
During his visit, Modi will also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The engagement is expected to reaffirm institutional bonds and shared democratic principles that underpin the bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed enthusiasm about engaging with the Indian diaspora in Israel, recognizing their longstanding contribution to fostering goodwill between the two nations.
“I also eagerly look forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have for long been nurturing the India-Israel special friendship,” he said.
The Indian community in Israel, including Jewish communities of Indian origin and Indian professionals working in the technology and healthcare sectors, has long served as a cultural bridge between the two countries.
The visit comes at a time of evolving geopolitical dynamics in West Asia. Both India and Israel are seeking to deepen strategic coordination while expanding cooperation in economic and technological domains.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the visit, Modi said he believes the State visit “will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the Strategic Partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future.”
Diplomatic observers describe the trip as a milestone that could chart the next chapter of India-Israel relations, reinforcing a partnership that has grown steadily stronger over the past decade and positioning it for greater collaboration in an increasingly complex global landscapeUNI .