PM Modi in Israel highlights: Agreement reached on use of UPI in Israel, says PM Modi

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, send off Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Tel Aviv airport as he departs for India after a two-day visit.

India and Israel on Thursday (February 26, 2026) elevated their “time-tested” relationship to a special strategic partnership and agreed to soon firm up a “mutually beneficial” free trade deal even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly backed the Gaza peace initiative, asserting that humanity must never become a victim of conflict.

Following talks between PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, the two sides inked a plethora of agreements to expand cooperation in areas of trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payment.

India and Israel also vowed to expand their already close defence partnership by working towards joint development and joint production of military hardware under the framework of the transfer of technologies.

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India’s security interests linked to peace and stability in West Asia: PM Modi during his visit to Israel

India and Israel strengthen ties, establishing a special strategic partnership and planning a free trade deal while supporting the Gaza Peace Initiative.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that India and Israel have decided to hold a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India at the earliest opportunity, adding that he looks forward to bringing the distinguished Ministers present for the engagement.

Addressing the joint press briefing, Mr. Netanyahu hailed the visit by PM Modi and underlined how the two brilliant talents of the two countries can come together. “The meeting of minds and hearts that we have had here will continue,” he added.

- ANI

Addressing a joint press meet alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, PM Modi said, “Peace and stability in West Asia are directly linked to India’s security interests. Therefore, from the very beginning, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful resolution... India’s position is clear, humanity must never become a victim of conflict.”

“The Gaza Peace Plan has created a pathway toward peace, and India has extended its full support to these efforts. In the future as well, we will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries,” he added.

- PTI

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PM Modi told the press in Israel that India has made a significant contributions to Israel’s construction and caregiver sectors through the Manpower Mobility Agreement in 2023.

“Indian workers have earned trust through their hard work, commitment, and skills. I am pleased that this cooperation is now being expanded to areas such as commerce and services. Connecting the youth, researchers, and innovators of both countries has been one of our key priorities. In this direction, we are establishing the India–Israel Academic Forum,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi said that India and Israel stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism.

“India and Israel are completely clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. India and Israel stood shoulder-to-shoulder in opposing terrorism and its supporters, and we will continue to do so. An agreement has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel,” he added.

PM Modi thanked his Israeli counterpart for the warm welcome after their joint meeting with Mr. Netanyahu. He also dedicated the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” to the 140 crore Indians.

India and Israel inked several pacts to expand ties in a range of areas, including innovation and agriculture, after talks between Modi and Netanyahu.

Following the meeting, PM Modi posted a glimpse of the meeting with Israeli President Herzog on X, stating that their discussions were “extremely fruitful and wide-ranging”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

“You are absolutely right in saying that the partnership between India and Israel can contribute significantly to global good across many sectors. Whether in science or innovation, Israel has achieved great expertise, especially in water management and agriculture. India continues to make efforts to adopt many of Israel’s best practices, particularly in the field of agriculture,” he said during the meeting.

Congress leader Anand Sharma hit out at the government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Israel visit, saying India should not be seen as endorsing a regime that has perpetrated genocide in Gaza and forced starvation on thousands of helpless Palestinians.

In a series of posts on X, the former Union Minister said Mr. Modi’s visit to Israel has raised questions and serious concerns among its traditional allies in the region and countries of the global South.

“With Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as our inspiration, India has throughout commanded universal respect for its commitment to humanity, justice and equality. India has always, as a policy, opposed terrorism and violence in all its manifestations,” Mr. Sharma said.

“We had unequivocally condemned the October 7 Hamas attack and the brutal killing of innocent Israeli civilians. India should not therefore be seen as endorsing a regime in Israel, that has perpetrated genocide in Gaza and forced starvation on thousands of helpless Palestinian civilians, especially children, women and the old, denounced by the UN as a crime against humanity,” the Congress leader said.

India should firmly stand by its stated position on the establishment of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine within secure and defined boundaries, Mr. Sharma said. - PTI

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described India as “an essential part of a great future for the Middle East”, while emphasising the growing importance of India-Israel cooperation during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the latter’s two-day state visit to the country.

Addressing the meeting, the Israeli President stated that Israel was also an “essential part of the great future” of India, while noting India’s economic growth, which has garnered much attention from around the world.

“With an expression of compassion and alliance with Israel and its story, I believe that India is an essential part of a great future for the Middle East, and Israel can be an essential part of the great future of India. I have seen your track record for economic growth. It is something that is attracting attention from around the world,” he said. - ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (February 26, 2026) paid his respects at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, in Jerusalem.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Modi stood in silence at the Hall of Remembrance, while recitations in Kaddish were on, to honour the victims of the Holocaust. 

Established in 1953, Yad Vashem it is dedicated to preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II.

The memorial includes the Holocaust History Museum, the Hall of Names, and the Children’s Memorial. Yad Vashem also honors the “Righteous Among the Nations,” non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews. 

- ANI

India and Israel’s first round of negotiations for a ​​free trade agreement (FTA)​​ will end on February 26, an official said.

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India, Israel begin talks for free trade pact

India and Israel initiate free trade pact talks to enhance trade and investment ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Thursday (February 26, 2026) thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “courageous words” delivered in the Israeli Knesset (Parliament), emphasising that it translates “diplomatic milestones into deep academic collaborations.” 

“Thank you, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for the warm and courageous words you delivered this evening from the podium of the Knesset”, the Israeli university said.

Last week, the Hebrew University signed an MoU with Nalanda University. A delegation led by Prof. Guy Harpaz, the Vice President of Hebrew University for International Affairs, visited India to strengthen academic ties with institutions across the country.

“The deep partnership between our nations is also reflected in the academic sphere,” the university stated.