India ‘stands firmly’ with Israel, Modi tells Knesset

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a firm hand of friendship to Israel and condemned the October 7 Hamas attack as a “barbaric terrorist attack” in his address to the Israeli Parliament Knesset on Wednesday (February 25, 2026). He supported the Gaza Peace Initiative, saying it is necessary to “sustain” the process of peace building in the region.

Also read: PM Modi’s Israel visit highlights on February 25, 2026

“The Gaza Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative… We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue,” he said.

Mr. Modi said India and Israel are working to enhance bilateral relations across sectors such as water management, agriculture, and talent partnership, adding that he has discussed “key developments” in the region with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 (2023),” said Mr. Modi, adding that India stands with Israel “firmly, with full conviction”.

In his second visit to Israel after nine years, Prime Minister Modi reminded the members of the Knesset about India’s own struggle against terrorism and cited the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai that killed citizens of India as well as multiple other countries, including Israel.

“Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards,” he said.

Mr. Modi said India had supported Israel’s attempts to build friendly ties with the countries in West Asia and North Africa and said Israeli moves to build relationships with Arab countries under the Abraham Accords, showed “courage and vision”. “Since then, the situation has changed significantly. The path is even more challenging. Yet it is important to sustain that hope,” he said.

Mr. Modi, who was conferred with the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’, referred to India’s ties with the Jewish community as rooted in ancient trade and movement of people, and said there is “great admiration of Israel’s resolve, courage and achievements” in India. He also talked about the absence of discrimination against the Jewish community in India and specifically referred to the historic Jewish communities in Kerala, Kolkata and Mumbai.

The Prime Minister said India is committed to expanding trade with Israel and informed that both sides are working on it through “cross-border financial linkages” using “Digital Public Infrastructure”. He said the two sides are also working on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement and said this will “unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship”.

Earlier, welcoming the Prime Minister of India to the Knesset, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Mr. Modi “did not flinch” and that under his leadership, India provided support to Israel in the challenging times over the recent past. “You stood for Israel. You stood for the Jews. Thank you,” said Mr. Netanyahu.