Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, as regional tensions escalate over a possible military confrontation between the United States and Iran.

The visit comes at a sensitive moment in West Asia, with Washington increasing its military presence near Iran amid stalled negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The evolving security situation carries implications for Israel and for millions of Indian nationals living and working in Gulf countries.

Modi, who in 2017 became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, is scheduled to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on defence cooperation, artificial intelligence and broader economic collaboration. Both leaders have described their relationship as close and longstanding.

An Israeli government official said the visit is expected to “pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across many fields,” while a foreign ministry official described bilateral ties as being on the verge of a significant upgrade.

During his visit, Modi is expected to address Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, the country’s official Holocaust memorial.

Regional security backdrop

The diplomatic engagement takes place against a backdrop of heightened US-Iran tensions. The United States has deployed naval assets near Iran’s coast, including an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean, amid discussions about potential military action.

Any escalation could affect Israel directly and potentially impact US military facilities in Gulf Arab states. The region is home to a large Indian diaspora that sends substantial remittances back to India each year.

Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think tank, said New Delhi is unlikely to favor conflict in the region and would seek stability through diplomatic channels.

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Israeli officials have indicated that regional security issues may be part of the discussions during the visit. Speaking at a recent cabinet meeting, Netanyahu described India as a key partner among nations aligned on confronting regional threats.

Analysts note that while India continues to expand defence cooperation with Israel, it has traditionally maintained a policy of strategic autonomy and non-alignment in global affairs.