As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a high-stakes two-day visit to Israel starting February 25, the Indian National Congress has launched a scathing critique of the trip’s timing and moral implications. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the government’s stance as “cynical and hypocritical,” alleging that India’s traditional solidarity with Palestine has been sacrificed for a “strategic embrace” of Benjamin Netanyahu.
The visit, which marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister will address the Knesset, is intended to focus on technology, defense, and AI. However, it is now overshadowed by a combination of regional conflict and internal Israeli political strife.
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The Opposition’s Charge: A Policy Shift?
Ramesh highlighted that India was among the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine in 1988. He argued that proceeding with the visit while “attacks on civilians in Gaza continue mercilessly” signals a total abandonment of that legacy.
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The Criticism: The Congress maintains that India’s silence on the displacement of thousands in the West Bank contradicts its stated commitment to a two-state solution.
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Regional Instability: The visit occurs as tensions between the US/Israel and Iran reach an “unbridgeable impasse,” with analysts warning of imminent air assaults.
Domestic Turmoil in Israel: The Knesset Boycott
Adding to the diplomatic complexity, the Israeli Opposition has threatened to leave the plenum empty during PM Modi’s speech.
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The Trigger: Opposition leader Yair Lapid is protesting the exclusion of Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit from the event, a move tied to Israel’s ongoing and divisive judicial overhaul.
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The Risk: Lapid warned that seeing the Prime Minister of a nation of 1.5 billion people standing before a “half-empty Knesset” would be a major international embarrassment.
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The “Modani” Connection: Trade and Infrastructure
Ramesh also explicitly linked the visit to corporate interests, referencing a “Modani connection.” This refers to the Adani Group’s significant footprint in Israel, most notably its operation of the Haifa Port.
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Defense Ties: India remains a top customer for Israeli defense technology, including drone systems that were reportedly used in a 2025 border clash with Pakistan.
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Economic Corridors: Discussions are expected to touch upon the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which has been stalled by regional conflict but remains a priority for New Delhi.
Reality Check
The Congress’s claim of “abandonment” is a potent political narrative. Still, India’s “balancing act” has been a consistent feature of its 2020s diplomacy. In fact, while the PM visits Israel, India recently hosted Arab Foreign Ministers and signed statements critical of West Bank expansions. Therefore, while the visit signals deeper ties with Israel, it is not—in technical diplomatic terms—a formal withdrawal of Palestinian support.
The Loopholes
The Knesset Speaker has claimed that “Prime Minister Modi will not speak to a half-empty plenum” by threatening to fill the seats of boycotting MPs with former lawmakers. In fact, this is a “visual loophole” designed to hide internal dissent from international cameras. Therefore, the “crowded” room may be a curated image rather than a sign of Israeli political unity. Still, the “Strategic Partnership” loophole allows India to pursue defense deals under a separate track from its humanitarian statements on Gaza.
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What This Means for You
If you are tracking Indian foreign policy, realize that this visit cements Israel as a top-tier defense partner for the next decade. First, expect major announcements in Ballistic Missile Defense and AI-driven cybersecurity. Then, for the Indian diaspora in Israel, this visit provides a rare direct engagement with the PM, despite the local political noise.
Finally, understand that the “Iran Factor” could shift the schedule at any moment. You should monitor the Geneva talks between the US and Iran occurring on Thursday; a breakdown there could escalate regional military activity while the PM is still on the ground. Before following social media outrage, look for the Joint Statement to see if India manages to include any text regarding “continued support for Palestinian aspirations” to appease domestic critics.
What’s Next
PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Tel Aviv on the evening of February 25. Then, the landmark address to the Knesset will take place, where all eyes will be on the attendance of the Opposition. Finally, the visit will conclude with a trip to Yad Vashem and a meeting with President Isaac Herzog on February 26 before the PM departs for India.
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