How Gaza war sped up India’s shift towards Israel under Modi

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that India’s relationship with Israel has become more open and visible under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and that the war in Gaza has accelerated that shift. The article says this was illustrated by the September 2025 visit to India by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who was welcomed despite bans or sanctions on him by several Western countries. During the trip, he reportedly signed a trade deal in New Delhi, visited Mumbai and traveled to Gujarat, Modi’s home state.

The report places the change in a broader political and strategic context. India historically supported Palestine, but under Modi, New Delhi has moved closer to Israel, especially after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza. Modi condemned the attack quickly, and later used language about terrorism and security that analysts say fits with the BJP’s domestic politics and the Hindu right’s long-standing affinity for Zionism.

Al Jazeera also says the bilateral ties are driven by defense, intelligence, trade and political alignment. Former diplomat Navdeep Suri told the outlet that Israel is seen in New Delhi as a strong security partner, while analyst Rasheed Kidwai argued that anti-Muslim sentiment in India has reinforced sympathy for Israel. At the same time, India has largely avoided the sanctions and public pressure adopted by some European countries, instead continuing to support a two-state solution in principle while offering limited criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.