Context

• West Asia faces an extremely fragile security environment marked by tensions between Iran and the United States, uncertainty surrounding the Gaza ceasefire, and shifting regional alignments involving Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• These developments raise concerns over regional stability, global trade routes, and energy supplies.
• Within this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in February 2026 carries major strategic significance.
• The visit reflects India’s expanding diplomatic role, its deepening partnership with Israel, and its attempt to balance relations with rival actors in the region.
• India is gradually moving from a passive observer to an active geopolitical stakeholder in West Asia.

Changing Nature of India’s West Asia Policy

• From Ideological to Pragmatic Diplomacy
  • India earlier balanced relations with Israel and Palestine due to political considerations and dependence on Arab energy sources.
  • The present standalone visit signals a clear policy shift. Through de-hyphenation, India treats Israel and Palestine as separate diplomatic relationships, emphasizing national interests over ideological positioning.
• Strategic Autonomy and Multi-Alignment
  • Despite closer ties with Israel, India continues strong relations with Arab states such as the UAE, Oman, and Jordan.
  • Rather than joining rigid alliances, India follows strategic autonomy and multi-alignment, maintaining cooperation across competing regional camps.

Defence and Security Cooperation

• Shared Security Concerns
  • Both countries face hostile neighbourhoods and threats from terrorism, creating natural security convergence.
  • India has become Israel’s largest defence customer, and cooperation has evolved from purchases to joint development.
• Military Technology Collaboration
  • Israel has supplied India with drones, surveillance systems, radars, and missile defence technologies.
  • The jointly developed Barak-8 air defence system illustrates this collaboration.
  • India’s focus on anti-drone protection and air defence after recent military experiences has increased interest in the Iron Beam laser interception system, capable of neutralizing rockets and UAVs efficiently.
  • This partnership now emphasises futuristic defence technologies and co-production.

Technology, Agriculture, and Innovation Cooperation

• Agricultural Development
  • Israel’s agricultural expertise supports India’s rural economy through more than 35 Centres of Excellence.
  • These initiatives promote precision farming, improved horticulture, and higher productivity in fruits and vegetables, strengthening food security.
• Water Management
  • Israeli water-management and irrigation technologies are vital for drought-prone regions such as Rajasthan and Haryana.
  • Integrated water resource projects improve conservation and sustainable usage.
• Future Technologies
  • Cooperation is expanding into Artificial Intelligence, electronics, and high-technology manufacturing.
  • The partnership increasingly resembles a development and innovation collaboration rather than purely defence engagement.

Trade and Economic Engagement

• Expanding Bilateral Trade
  • Bilateral trade has grown steadily, traditionally dominated by diamonds, petroleum products, and chemicals, but now expanding into medical equipment, electronics, and communications technology.
• Investment and Free Trade Agreement
  • A Bilateral Investment Agreement and negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aim to deepen economic integration.
  • Israel is also interested in Indian participation in infrastructure projects and arrangements for skilled labour mobility, indicating increasing economic interdependence.

Strategic Connectivity and the IMEC Corridor

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a major connectivity initiative linking India to Europe through West Asia.
• The corridor offers a safer alternative to the Suez Canal, reduces shipping risks, and enhances trade efficiency.
• However, its success depends on regional stability, particularly lasting peace in Gaza. Economic connectivity and peace are therefore closely connected.

Gaza Conflict and Regional Diplomacy

• India’s Possible Role in Peace Efforts
  • India participated as an observer in international stabilization discussions.
  • Its balanced relations with Israel and Arab countries position it as a credible diplomatic participant in future peace initiatives.
• Balancing Competing Alliances
  • Israel has suggested broader regional alignments against extremist forces, but India is unlikely to join a formal bloc.
  • It maintains engagement with Israel, Gulf countries, and Iran simultaneously to protect diplomatic flexibility and national interests.

India’s Strategic Interests in the Region

• India’s involvement in West Asia is driven by concrete priorities: energy security, protection of trade routes, welfare of overseas workers, counter-terrorism cooperation, and technology transfer.
• Stability in the region directly affects India’s economic growth and foreign policy goals.

Conclusion

• The 2026 visit highlights the transformation of India-Israel relations into a multidimensional partnership encompassing defence, technology, trade, and connectivity.
• At the same time, India continues constructive engagement with Arab states and Iran, reflecting a balanced diplomatic approach.
• India is emerging as a strategically autonomous power capable of engaging multiple rivals without formal alliances.
• By combining security cooperation with economic and technological collaboration and supporting regional stability, India positions itself as a potential stabilizing influence in West Asia.
• The partnership with Israel therefore represents not only bilateral cooperation but also India’s broader rise as an influential actor in regional geopolitics.