Cheers filled Jerusalem’s Knesset as Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a stirring address on Wednesday, the highlight of his brief yet impactful Israel visit. Nine years after his first sojourn, Modi conveyed profound joy at reconnecting with this innovative ally.
Central to his message was solidarity with Israel post the brutal October 7 Hamas strike. Expressing deep sympathy, Modi affirmed, ‘India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with you.’ He denounced violence against civilians outright, linking it to India’s prolonged fight against terror, vividly recalling the 26/11 Mumbai tragedy that united their grief through shared losses.
Modi lauded India’s record of fostering Jewish life without fear or bias, a proud chapter in bilateral history. Urging sustained global cooperation against terrorism—since no border contains its threat—he reassured Israel’s people of India’s enduring peace commitment.
Tracing ties from his 2006 chief ministerial trip to the 2017 strategic elevation, Modi spotlighted innovation synergies. Dubbed the Startup Nation, Israel’s model fuels India’s entrepreneurial surge, from the I-Create incubator’s 900+ startups to hosting the world’s largest democratized AI summit recently.
Future-focused, he vowed to amplify trade volumes, streamline investments with a new treaty, and advance collaborative infrastructure. Modi’s vision paints a robust, multifaceted alliance poised for exponential growth.