India’s Modi backs Israel in address at Israeli parliament
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a landmark speech to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament on Wednesday, declaring India stands with Israel “with full conviction” amid the Gaza war. He condemned the October 7 Hamas-led attack as “barbaric” and said no cause justifies killing civilians.
Modi, the first Indian leader to address Israel’s parliament, received a standing ovation. Earlier, he was welcomed at Ben Gurion International Airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him “more than a friend, a brother”.
Modi said India supports the UN-backed Gaza peace initiative and described India-Israel ties as a “trusted partnership” spanning defense, technology, and trade.
India is Israel’s largest arms buyer, purchasing $20.5bn in weapons from 2020–2024. India and Israel also signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty in 2025 during Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s visit to India.
At home, Modi faces criticism from opposition politicians who say his embrace of Israel sidelines India’s historic support for Palestine. His visit continues Thursday.
