**Executive Summary**
On February 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. The address highlighted the strong and enduring friendship between India and Israel, seeking to bolster collaboration and partnership in various sectors. The Prime Minister also offered condolences for the October 7 terror attack and expressed support for peace and stability in the region.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bilateral Relations:**
* Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the strong bonds between India and Israel, built on ancient civilizational ties and a robust partnership in technology, innovation, defence, security, and strategic convergences.
* He noted the positive impact of people-to-people ties, especially in agriculture, rural development, water management, sustainability, and enterprise.
* The Indian community in Israel and the Jewish diaspora in India were recognized for their contributions to progress in both countries.
* **Terrorism and Regional Stability:**
* Prime Minister reiterated the zero-tolerance policy for terrorism and offered condolences for the October 7 terror attack.
* He expressed India’s support for durable peace and stability in the region, highlighting support for the Gaza Peace Initiative.
* **Economic Cooperation:**
* The Prime Minister sought greater bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, infrastructure development, green growth, start-ups, digital solutions, and emerging technologies.
* He expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and called for the early finalization of an ambitious Free Trade Agreement.
* **Parliamentary and Cultural Exchange:**
* Prime Minister Modi advocated for greater parliamentary interaction through the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Israel in India.
* He drew parallels between India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the Israeli principle of Tikkum Olam.
* The Prime Minister thanked the Knesset members for their contribution to India-Israel ties and conveyed good wishes for the upcoming festival of Purim.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: India**
* **Impact:** Strengthening of diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, increased opportunities for collaboration in various sectors (trade, investment, technology), and enhanced influence in regional and international affairs.
* **Action Required:** Pursue early finalization of the Free Trade Agreement and facilitate parliamentary and cultural exchanges.
**Stakeholder: Israel**
* **Impact:** Reinforcement of the strategic partnership with India, increased opportunities for investment and economic growth, and enhanced collaboration in areas such as defence, security, and innovation.
* **Action Required:** Engage in deeper collaboration with India in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 frameworks.
**Stakeholder: Indian Diaspora in Israel**
* **Impact:** Recognition of their contributions to both India and Israel.
* **Action Required:** Continue fostering the historical connections and contributing to the progress of both countries.
Key Entities Referenced
Knesset: Israeli Parliament, the primary audience and location of the Prime Minister's address.
India: One of the two nations at the center of the discussions and relations described in the document.
Israel: One of the two nations at the center of the discussions and relations described in the document.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor [IMEC]: Mentioned as an area of collaboration between India and Israel.
I2U2: Framework mentioned in the context of ongoing collaboration between India and Israel.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister addresses the Israeli Parliament -
Knesset
Posted On: 25 FEB 2026 10:41PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed today a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem. He is
the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli parliament.
Upon his arrival at the Knesset, Prime Minister was received by the Speaker of the Knesset, H.E. Amir
Ohana and accorded a ceremonial welcome. The Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu;
Leader of Opposition, H.E. Mr Yair Lapid; and Speaker Ohana spoke in the Plenary ahead of Prime
Minister’s address, expressing strong bipartisan support for India-Israel ties.
Prime Minister began his address by thanking the Speaker for the special honour. He expressed gratitude
for being bestowed with the "Speaker of The Knesset” medal, which he dedicated to the enduring
friendship and shared democratic traditions of the two countries. Highlighting the strong bonds of
friendship between India and Israel, Prime Minister noted that the two peoples share both ancient
civilizational ties and a robust contemporary partnership based on technology, innovation, defence,
security and strategic convergences. He stated that the vibrant people-to-people ties based on cooperation
in agriculture, rural development, water management, sustainability and enterprise have imparted a
dynamic outlook to the relationship. Underlining the historical connections and two-way movement of
people between the two countries, Prime Minister stated that the Indian community in Israel and the
Jewish diaspora in India have made significant contribution to progress in both countries.
Recalling the uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism of the two countries, Prime Minister
offered condolences for the October 7 terror attack and noted that there can be no justification for such
brutality. He offered India’s support to all efforts that contribute to durable peace and stability in the
region. In this context, he highlighted India’s firm support for the Gaza Peace Initiative endorsed by the
UN Security Council. Noting the ongoing collaboration between India and Israel in the plurilateral arena,
he called for deeper interaction between the two countries in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic
Corridor [IMEC] and the I2U2 frameworks.
Prime Minister highlighted India’s growth story and sought greater bilateral collaboration in the fields of
trade, investment, infrastructure development, green growth, start-ups, digital solutions and emerging
technologies, unlocking the innovation and creativity of the youth. Expressing satisfaction at the
conclusion of the Bilateral Investment Treaty, he called for early finalisation of an ambitious Free Trade
Agreement to realise the untapped trade potential.
Prime Minister called for greater parliamentary interaction between the two vibrant democracies taking
advantage of the recently formed Parliamentary Friendship Group for Israel in India. Drawing parallels
between the ethos of the two civilizations, Prime Minister noted that India’s philosophy of VasudhaivaKutumbakam [the world is one family] and the Israeli principle of Tikkum Olam [healing the world] speak
of shared approaches towards a harmonious society. Prime Minister thanked the members of the Knesset
for their contribution to India-Israel ties and conveyed good wishes for the upcoming festival of Purim.
The full address of Prime Minister may be seen here [link]
****
MJPS/PKK
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Read this release in: Kannada