Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has heaped praise on India and its leader Narendra Modi, celebrating the two countries' ties at a time when Israel's bombing campaigns against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon have met with growing international criticism.
Netanyahu Acknowledges Isolation but Hails Indian Support
Mr Netanyahu admitted that Israel was becoming increasingly isolated but hailed its 'unique relationship' with India, which he called a 'huge power'. Speaking at an event in the West Bank, he said: 'We have problems with delegitimisation in much of the world, but not in India. In India, there is an absolutely crazy support for Israel, truly crazy.' He also praised his personal ties with Mr Modi, adding: 'I think there are more followers from India than anywhere else.'
Previous Remarks on India's Affection
This is not the first time Mr Netanyahu has spoken about his popularity in India. Reflecting on his 2018 visit to New Delhi with his wife, he previously described the trip as a 'love-fest'. During an appearance on CBS News' 60 Minutes, he said: 'There are places where Israel is still respected. India has 1.4 billion people, and Israel is very popular there. PM Modi was greeted with great affection here. And I went to India with my wife, and it was a love fest.'
Modi's Visit and Agreements
Just days before Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, triggering a Middle East conflict that caused a global fuel crisis, Mr Modi visited Israel and addressed the Israeli parliament. He stated that Indians had 'great admiration for Israel's determination, courage, and achievements'. These comments sparked a backlash from opposition quarters in India, where critics expressed alarm over India's increasingly close ties with Israel.
Criticism from Indian Opposition
In April this year, the main opposition Indian National Congress party accused the Modi-led government of remaining 'silent' on the war in Gaza and the plight of the Palestinian people. Senior Congress figure Jairam Ramesh alleged that no previous Indian government had shown such 'solidarity' with what he called a 'murderous regime' in Israel. In a post on X, Mr Ramesh described Mr Modi's response to Israel's military actions in Gaza and Lebanon as 'moral cowardice'.
Declining Support for Israel in the US
Mr Netanyahu's latest comments come at a time of declining support for Israel in the United States. According to the Pew Research Centre, '60 per cent of US adults have an unfavourable view of Israel, up from 53 per cent last year'. The report, published in April this year, also noted that '59 per cent have little or no confidence in Netanyahu to do the right thing regarding world affairs – up from 52 per cent last year'. It added that 'in both political parties (Democrats and Republicans), majorities of adults under the age of 50 now rate Israel and Netanyahu negatively'.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
In February this year, during Mr Modi's visit to Israel, the two countries signed a number of agreements in defence, cybersecurity, AI, trade, and other projects, signalling an expansion of ties. India has also invested large sums in Israel's port of Haifa as part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a multinational infrastructure project officially announced in 2023 during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
India's involvement in the port of Haifa is led by the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, part of the Adani Group, which acquired a 70 per cent stake in the port in a $1.2 billion deal. The remaining 30 per cent is held by Israeli logistics firm Gadot, with the consortium receiving rights to operate the port until 2054.
