Modi in Israel: New Delhi Doing What Is Good for India: Analyst

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As Modi Deepens Israel Outreach, Analyst Tells i24NEWS India Balances Tel Aviv, Tehran, Moscow and Washington

By TRH World Desk

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 — As geopolitical fault lines harden across West Asia and Europe, India–Israel relations are once again in focus. Speaking to i24NEWS, analyst Benjamin Grossman said New Delhi is pursuing a clear-eyed national strategy — strengthening ties with Israel while maintaining relationships with Iran, Russia and the Palestinians.

“This is the third or fourth visit,” Grossman noted, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with Israel. “India is doing what is good for India. India is not hiding anything.”

Prime Minister Modi is embarking on an Israel visit on Wednesday. This is his first visit since 2017.

‘India Is Not Choosing Sides — It Is Choosing Interests’

Grossman emphasized that India’s foreign policy is driven by strategic autonomy. “India has a good relationship with Israel, but at the same time India also supports the Palestinians. They have relations with Iran, they have relations with Russia. They are buying oil from Russia in spite of American pressure — so they are doing what is good for India.”

The remarks underline New Delhi’s balancing act: Defence and technology cooperation with Israel; Continued energy imports from Russia; Diplomatic engagement with Iran; and Formal support for a two-state solution in Palestine. Reports state that India has paused buying oil from Russia after the announcement of an interim trade deal with the US.

In a world increasingly defined by blocs, India’s approach signals calculated independence rather than alignment, argued the geopolitics analyst.

Cultural Openness and Absence of Anti-Semitism

Beyond strategy, Grossman pointed to what he described as India’s cultural openness toward Israel and Jewish communities. “On a cultural level, I see very fascinating openness. We need to learn about Israel, to learn about the Jews — that openness is positive. In this world, there’s not enough of that going around.”

He added: “I’ve never seen any point of anti-Semitism in India. They criticize us sometimes, but they don’t judge us. They take us as we are.”

Such remarks reinforce the perception in Israel that India represents a stable and welcoming partner — both politically and socially.

Economic Opportunity: ‘Time for Israel to Work in India’

Grossman framed the moment as economically consequential. “This is the time for Israel to work in India. They’re open-minded. Israeli companies should establish in India. People from India are very open-minded this way. You should take this call and make it a change in our economy as well.”

With India emerging as a manufacturing and technology hub, Israeli firms in cybersecurity, agri-tech, defence systems and water management could see expanded opportunities.