Netanyahu and Modi Pledge to Strengthen Ties Amid Gaza Peace Plan Briefing
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strengthened their bilateral ties on Wednesday, as Netanyahu briefed Modi on the Gaza peace plan. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism and vowed to deepen their strategic partnership in 2026. During a New Year's greeting call, Netanyahu shared details of the Gaza peace plan with Modi, who reiterated India's support for a just and durable peace in the region. Modi and Netanyahu also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in counterterrorism and exchange views on the regional situation. The two leaders identified shared priorities to strengthen their bilateral ties, guided by a forward-looking vision, shared democratic values, and mutual trust. They adopted a joint working plan to shape bilateral ties in 2026, covering key areas such as diplomacy, security, economic issues, cyber, agriculture, and water. Recent visits by Israeli ministers to India have further solidified the bilateral relationship. Last month, external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited Israel to finalize a joint working plan, and several Israeli ministers, including finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, visited India last year. The two sides signed a bilateral investment treaty during Smotrich's visit and finalized the terms of reference for a free trade agreement during commerce minister Piyush Goyal's visit to Israel in November. Modi and Netanyahu's pledge to strengthen their ties comes at a critical time, as the two countries work together to address regional and global challenges. Their commitment to fighting terrorism and promoting cooperation in key areas will likely enhance the bilateral relationship and promote regional stability.
