From Defence to Diplomacy: What PM Modi’s Israel Visit Means for India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel from February 25 to 27 is set to mark a new phase in India's engagement with West Asia, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to pitch a proposed regional framework - the Hexagon of Alliances - that places India at its core.

Israeli officials say the visit goes beyond bilateral ties and reflects New Delhi's growing strategic weight in the region. Security cooperation, regional alignments, defence projects and advanced technology partnerships are expected to dominate the agenda during Modi's two-day stay.

Why the Visit Matters

This will be Modi's second visit to Israel after his landmark 2017 trip, which normalised high-level political engagement between the two countries. This time, the context is more complex, shaped by the Gaza conflict, shifting Arab-Israeli equations and growing competition over influence in West Asia.

Netanyahu has described Modi as a "dear friend" and has publicly underlined the strategic convergence between India and Israel, particularly on security challenges and technological cooperation. Indian officials see the visit as a chance to reinforce India's position as a partner that can engage simultaneously with Israel, the Gulf and Europe.

Hexagon of Alliances: Israel's Pitch

At the heart of the talks will be Israel's proposal for a "hexagon of alliances" - a six-nation grouping involving countries in and around West Asia. Israel has indicated that India, along with Greece and Cyprus, could be key participants, alongside selected Arab, African and Asian states.

The proposed framework is designed to coordinate economic projects, align diplomatic positions and deepen security cooperation against what Israel calls radical regional axes, including Iran and allied groups. Officials have compared the idea to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), though the hexagon carries a stronger security dimension.

What India Stands to Gain

For India, the visit underscores its expanding role as a strategic actor in West Asia - a region critical for energy security, trade routes and the Indian diaspora. Israeli officials see New Delhi as a stabilising partner with the capacity to link Asia, the Gulf and Europe through economic and connectivity projects.

Talks are expected to focus on co-development of defence systems, including missile defence, drones and laser-based weapons, as well as deeper collaboration in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture and water management.

Balancing Regional Sensitivities

While Israel is keen to draw India into a broader security architecture, New Delhi is likely to weigh the proposal carefully, given its longstanding ties with Iran and Arab nations. Analysts say India's participation in any such framework would be calibrated to avoid being seen as part of a military bloc while advancing its economic and strategic interests.

A Broader Signal

Modi is also expected to address the Knesset, a rare honour that highlights the political importance Israel attaches to the visit. The address, along with talks with Netanyahu, is expected to signal continuity in India-Israel ties even as regional geopolitics remain fluid.

Overall, the visit is being watched as an indicator of how far India is willing to go in shaping new regional alignments, and whether it sees a role for itself in Israel's proposed Hexagon of Alliances while maintaining its multi-aligned approach in West Asia.