India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership: Modi’s Knesset Visit
Why in the news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Israel in February 2026 for a two-day state visit. The trip lifted bilateral ties to a new strategic level and produced a package of agreements.
Key facts
- Visit: two-day state visit to Israel, February 2026.
- Knesset address: the Prime Minister spoke before Israel’s legislature during the trip.
- Medal of the Knesset: awarded to Modi; no earlier Indian PM had received it.
- Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity: the new framework announced by both sides.
| Area of cooperation | Agreements signed |
|---|---|
| Defence | Yes |
| Artificial intelligence | Yes |
| Cybersecurity | Yes |
| Trade | Yes |
Significance
- The upgraded partnership gives the relationship a broader frame than defence alone, covering innovation and prosperity as well.
- Technology areas such as AI and cybersecurity appear alongside traditional defence and trade links.
Exam angle
- Honour: Medal of the Knesset, a first for an Indian PM.
- New tie-up name: Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity.
- Four agreement areas to remember: defence, AI, cybersecurity, trade.