Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on the first day of his two-day visit to the country, stressing India's enduring support for Israel.
Modi's speech was met with a standing ovation as he condemned the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas-led fighters as “barbaric”, adding “no cause can justify the murder of civilians”.
Earlier, Modi was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport, where a welcoming ceremony was held.
Netanyahu thanked India for “standing by” Israel in the wake of October 7, and said the two nations shared “common interests”.
Modi expressed “strong support” for the Gaza peace initiative approved by the UN Security Council in November, saying it “offers a pathway” to a just and durable peace for all the people of the region.
India-Israel Relations
Modi described the relationship between India and Israel as “vital” for trade and security, and hailed “synergy” on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and other topics.
The two countries are “trusted partners” and their relations contribute to global stability and prosperity, Modi said.
India is Israel's largest arms buyer, spending $20.5bn on Israeli weapons between 2020 and 2024, with trade between the two standing at $3.9bn in 2024.
Criticism and Controversy
Modi's visit to Israel has been met with criticism, with some accusing him of supporting Israel's actions in Gaza, which have killed at least 72,073 people and wounded 171,756.
Imran Masood, a parliamentarian for India's Congress party, urged Modi to address Gaza during his visit, saying, “if there is any morality then he should talk about death of children in Gaza”.
Marian Alexander Baby, leader of the Communist Party of India, said Modi's embrace of Israel is “a betrayal of India's anti-colonial legacy and our long-standing position in support of the right to self determination of the Palestinian people”.
Source: Al Jazeera
