New Delhi: Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Jerusalem on Wednesday, adding that India strongly supports the Gaza peace initiative, which he stressed holds the promise of a “just and lasting” peace.
In a 32-minute speech before Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, the Prime Minister also said that the India-Israel FTA under negotiation will unleash the vast untapped potential of their bilateral trade relationship, and stressed that the relationship between the two countries is written in “blood and sacrifice”, and lauded the technology and defense ties.
“No issue can justify the killing of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also suffered the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost, including Israeli citizens. Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards. India supports all efforts that contribute to lasting peace and regional stability,” he said.
The Knesset was lit up in the colors of the Indian national flag to mark the first ever speech by an Indian Prime Minister.
Modi – who is on his second tour in Israel – touched on the attack launched by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“I bring with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terror attack by Hamas on October 7. We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands firmly with Israel, with complete conviction… at this moment and beyond,” the Prime Minister said, adding that terrorism aims to destabilize society, obstruct development and undermine confidence.
Earlier, while welcoming Modi to the Knesset, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Indo-Israeli alliance was a tremendous multiplier of the individual strengths of the two countries, praising India as a giant power.
The Israeli Prime Minister said: “I am deeply touched by your visit here today. You are a great friend of Israel, and a great leader on the world stage. You are more than just a friend… a brother. You did not back down or make excuses. You stood by Israel, and defended the truth.”
Modi was received with loud applause in the Knesset; The members rose to their feet and chanted his name. This is Modi’s second visit to that country in nine years. The bilateral relationship was elevated to the level of a “strategic partnership” when he visited Tel Aviv in July 2017.
“A few years ago, when you concluded the Abraham Accords (to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab countries), we praised your vision and courage. It was a new moment of hope for a long-troubled region. Since then, the situation has changed dramatically. The path is more difficult. However, it is important to maintain this hope,” Modi said.
He said the Gaza Peace Initiative approved by the United Nations Security Council provides a path. “India has expressed its firm support for this initiative. We believe it holds the promise of a just and lasting peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestinian issue. Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage and humanity. The path to peace is not always easy. But India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region.”
Modi touched on India’s economic boom in his speech.
“Over the past few years, India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world. Soon, we will be among the top three economies globally. At the same time, Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership. This creates a natural basis for a forward-looking partnership,” he said, adding that India is committed to expanding trade, enhancing investment flows, and promoting joint development of infrastructure.
He said that in the past few years, India has concluded a number of important trade agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
“Our bilateral goods trade has grown manifold in recent years. But it does not reflect the full range of opportunities. That’s why our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious free trade agreement. It will unleash the enormous untapped potential in our trading relationship.”
On Tuesday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hosted Israeli negotiators in New Delhi for the first round of talks. The negotiating team’s visit comes after the two countries signed a bilateral investment agreement to promote and protect foreign private investments in their respective territories on September 8, 2025.
In today’s uncertain world, a strong defense partnership between trusted partners like India and Israel is of vital importance, Modi said, recalling the memorandum of understanding the two countries signed last November to enhance defense cooperation.
He said that Jewish communities live in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. “They have maintained their faith and fully participated in the community. This record is a source of pride for us.”
“Our shared ideals are the deep foundations that give strength to our modern partnership. We are democracies shaped by history and focused on the future. Our partnership is grounded in shared experience and shared aspirations. Our strong partnership not only serves national interests, but also contributes to global stability and prosperity. Let us ensure that the India-Israel friendship remains a source of strength in an uncertain world.”
The Israeli Parliament later honored Modi by awarding him the Speaker of the Knesset Medal. This is the highest honor bestowed by the Knesset and was conferred in recognition of the Prime Minister’s exceptional contribution in strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel.
In a special gesture, earlier, Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah Modi, were received at Ben Gurion Airport and received a special guard of honor.
Following the arrival ceremony, the two prime ministers held a brief meeting alone.
In a post on X after his meeting with Netanyahu, the prime minister said they discussed a wide range of topics aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. “Sectors such as technology, water management, agriculture, talent partnership and others provide tremendous scope for close cooperation. We also discussed key developments in the region,” he wrote on X.
The Ministry of External Affairs earlier said that the Prime Minister’s two-day visit will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including defence, security, science, technology and innovation, agriculture, water management, trade and economy and people-to-people exchanges.
