India and Israel elevate ties to a 'Special Strategic Partnership' during PM Modi's visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu elevated India–Israel ties to 'A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity' in a joint statement issued on 26 February 2026, during Modi's state visit to Israel on 25–26 February.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu elevated India–Israel ties to 'A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity' in a joint statement issued on 26 February 2026, during Modi's state visit to Israel on 25–26 February. The visit produced 17 outcomes, including MoUs on artificial intelligence, geophysical exploration, fisheries and aquaculture, the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, and UPI-based cross-border remittances between NPCI International and Israel's MASAV, plus three labour-mobility protocols. Announcements included a quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years, a Critical and Emerging Technologies initiative led by the two National Security Advisors, and raising each side's contribution to the Joint Research Calls from USD 1 million to USD 1.5 million. The joint statement recalled Modi's 2017 visit to Israel and Netanyahu's 2018 visit to India as the foundation of the partnership.
Key facts
- Visit
- State visit, 25–26 February 2026
- New status
- Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity
- Outcomes
- 17 MoUs/agreements
- Payments
- NIPL–MASAV MoU on UPI remittances
- Heritage
- MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal (Gujarat)
- Labour
- Up to 50,000 Indian workers in 5 years; 3 labour-mobility protocols
- Research
- Joint Research Calls raised to USD 1.5 million each
- Earlier visits
- Modi to Israel 2017; Netanyahu to India 2018
Practice MCQs 5 questions
To what level were India–Israel ties elevated during PM Modi's visit to Israel in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity
The two Prime Ministers elevated ties to 'A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity'.
Under an outcome of PM Modi's February 2026 Israel visit, NPCI International signed an MoU with which Israeli entity to enable UPI-based remittances?
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Correct answer: A — MASAV
NPCI International (NIPL) signed an MoU with MASAV, Israel, to enable cross-border remittances via UPI; MASHAV partnered ICAR on agriculture.
An MoU signed during PM Modi's February 2026 Israel visit supports the National Maritime Heritage Complex at which place?
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Correct answer: B — Lothal
One MoU is for development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
What quota for Indian workers in Israel was announced during PM Modi's February 2026 visit?
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Correct answer: C — Up to 50,000 over 5 years
The announcements included a quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next 5 years.
Consider the following statements based on the India–Israel Joint Statement of 26 February 2026: 1. Narendra Modi first visited Israel as Prime Minister in 2017, and Benjamin Netanyahu visited India in 2018. 2. The India–Israel Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation was signed during the February 2026 visit. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The joint statement welcomed the Defence Cooperation MoU signed earlier, on 4 November 2025.