India and Israel declared themselves a “special strategic partnership” after signing 16 new agreements, the two countries announced in a joint statement on Thursday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel this week. Representatives of the two countries held working meetings this week to discuss agreements on security, agriculture, water, development and labor.
“This is a great visit. A great ending to a great visit,” Netanyahu said alongside Modi. “It was short, but extremely productive and also extremely moving.”
“The future belongs to those who innovate, and Israel and India are focused on innovation. We are proud ancient civilizations, very proud of our past, but also absolutely determined to seize our future and we can do better together.” he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New Delhi, India on February 25, 2026. (Photo by Press Information Bureau (PIB)/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The two countries ultimately signed 16 agreements on a range of topics including artificial intelligence, cultural exchange, agriculture and energy, with Netanyahu adding that they are still working on a more “concrete” agreement.
“This friendship is built on a deep foundation of democratic and human values,” Modi said, as translated by Israel Ynet news. “Our ties have stood the test of time. Today we have made a historic decision to elevate our long-standing partnership to a special strategic partnership, symbolizing the ambitions of our two peoples.”
The elevated relationship comes as the US and Israel have increased tensions with Iran. The US has undergone a massive military buildup in the region, and Netanyahu discussed Iran with President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House earlier this month.
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President Donald Trump bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Trump said Wednesday he wants to resolve tensions with Iran through diplomacy, but he also accused Tehran of expanding its missile capabilities.
“They have already developed missiles that could threaten Europe and our overseas bases,” he said. “And they are working on building rockets that will soon reach the United States of America.”
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy,” Trump added. “They want to make a deal. But we haven’t heard those secret words yet: we will never have a nuclear weapon.”
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“But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s largest sponsor of terror … to possess a nuclear weapon. I cannot let that happen.”
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