India and Israel Strengthen Ties, Pledge to Combat Terrorism
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a phone call on Wednesday, discussing the Gaza peace plan and ways to deepen their bilateral strategic partnership. Netanyahu, who is set to visit India in the near future, called Modi to exchange New Year greetings and briefed him on the Gaza peace initiative. Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to a just and durable peace in the region, citing the country's long-standing support for regional stability. Modi and Netanyahu also vowed to strengthen their countries' counter-terrorism efforts, with a shared zero-tolerance approach towards all forms of terrorism. The two leaders identified key areas to focus on in 2026, including diplomacy, security, economic cooperation, and joint initiatives in the fields of cyber, agriculture, and water. The recent visits by Israeli ministers, including finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and commerce minister Piyush Goyal, have laid the groundwork for a stronger India-Israel partnership. Last year, the two sides signed a bilateral investment treaty and finalised the terms of reference for a free trade agreement. The phone call between Modi and Netanyahu is seen as a significant step towards realising their shared vision for a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership. With a joint working plan in place, the two countries are poised to make significant progress in various areas of cooperation in 2026.
