From trading partners to strategic allies: Israel-India alliance will only get stronger, say JNS panelists – Israel & Jewish News

(June 22, 2026 / JNS)

The evolution of India-Israel relations from a trade partnership to a “special strategic partnership” was the central topic of a panel during Monday evening’s plenary, “Israel on the World Stage: Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy,” at the JNS 2026 International Policy Summit, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem.

The panel, “The Impact of the Israel-India Relationship,” highlighted India’s strategic importance to Israel, which has seen significant progress in economic and defense cooperation.

This relationship has enormous potential for growth through recent multilateral initiatives, such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and I2U2, a partnership between the United States, Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates. (It is named after the first letters of its four member countries.)

“What began just over 30 years ago as basic seller-buyer relationships has evolved dramatically to the highest level,” said Ron Malka, former Israeli ambassador to India, who participated in the panel.

Malka spoke about the new status accorded to this relationship, a “special strategic partnership for peace, innovation and prosperity,” during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to Israel in February. (During Modi’s first trip to Israel in 2017, the relationship was also elevated to a “strategic partnership.”)

“As far as I know, only two other countries in the world have been defined in this way, as special strategic partners of India. They were Russia and Japan. And this really reflects what has happened between Israel and India over the last 30 years. This is a very strong and deep relationship, based on trust and respect,” Malka said.

It is gradually expanding ties between India and Israel and entering a new phase, he said, moving from “co-production to co-development”. The two countries complement each other, with Israel bringing its technological prowess to India’s large-scale manufacturing sector.

India brings the production capacity, Israel the technological advance. Together there is synergy, Malka said.

“Turn east”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s strategy is to “pivot to the East,” which holds untapped potential, said Aviv Ezra, head of Pacific and Asian affairs at the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The “jewel” of this strategy is India. “India is undoubtedly a critical and crucial part of Israel’s national strategy,” he said.

Israel and India already work together in agriculture, water management and defense. During Modi’s visit in February, the countries pledged to integrate Indian and Israeli advances in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology and space exploration.

“We are going to be building cybersecurity centers of excellence in India very soon. And I would say the potential is really endless. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be focusing on this through our embassy there and our consulate, in Mumbai and Bangalore,” Ezra said.

Multilateral initiatives offer incalculable economic potential. IMEC would take advantage of Israel’s strategic location to connect the Far East, the Middle East and Europe. India has already invested in this corridor. A consortium led by India’s Adani Group purchased the Haifa port for $1.2 billion in 2022. The corridor would connect trade, communications, energy and more from India to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, eventually Jordan, Israel and Europe.

“Imagine if we have the ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz,” Ezra said.

I2U2, which first met virtually in July 2022, aims to strengthen the supply chains and technological independence of U.S. allies. It seeks to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Middle East and Indian Ocean.

Both Malka and Ezra expressed optimism about the relationship, as ties with the private sector are encouraged. Since the Hamas war in October 2023, between 20,000 and 25,000 Indian workers have arrived in Israel, filling critical positions left by Palestinian workers.

“So many people, both in India and in Israel, are reaching out to me and asking me to bridge the gap and try to scale and help facilitate more and more businesses, more and more engagements,” Malka said. “I think these relationships will grow and serve both the countries and the region. »