Israeli PM Netanyahu Congratulates PM Modi on Becoming Indias Longest-Serving Leader

In a recent i24NEWS English "Middle East Now" segment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was shown delivering a personal congratulatory message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who this year surpassed Jawaharlal Nehru to become the longest-serving prime minister in Indian history. The milestone, marking over 16 years in office, prompted a reflection from Jerusalem on one of Israel's most strategically important partnerships in Asia.

Netanyahu's Message Marks Milestone in India-Israel Partnership

The i24NEWS English "Middle East Now" program opened with footage of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issuing a direct congratulatory statement to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Modi surpassed Jawaharlal Nehru's record of 16 years and 286 days in office in 2026. Netanyahu's message, delivered from the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, emphasized the "natural alliance" between the two nations and referenced ongoing joint projects in defense and technology. The exchange arrives at a moment when bilateral trade exceeds $10 billion annually, with India serving as the largest destination for Israeli defense exports.

Defense Cooperation Anchors Strategic Relationship

Since full diplomatic relations were established in 1992, Israel and India have expanded military ties through regular arms sales and joint exercises. The Israeli Ministry of Defense reports that India accounts for nearly 40 percent of Israel's defense exports, including drones, missile systems and surveillance equipment used by Indian forces along the Line of Control. The IDF and Indian Army conducted their largest-ever joint counter-terrorism drill in Rajasthan in 2023, focusing on urban warfare tactics refined during operations in Gaza. Netanyahu's 2018 visit to New Delhi produced agreements for co-development of medium-range surface-to-air missiles at facilities in both Tel Aviv and Hyderabad.

These arrangements directly address shared threats from Islamist militant groups. Israeli security officials note that intelligence exchanges between Mossad and India's Research and Analysis Wing have disrupted multiple plots targeting Israeli and Indian interests in recent years. The cooperation extends to maritime security in the Indian Ocean, where both navies share data on Iranian-linked vessels.

Technology and Agriculture Drive Practical Collaboration

Beyond defense, Israeli expertise in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence has been integrated into Indian government systems. The Israeli National Cyber Directorate maintains an active liaison office in Bengaluru, where joint teams develop tools to protect critical infrastructure from Iranian and Chinese state actors. Water technology transfers include drip-irrigation systems deployed across Rajasthan and Gujarat, increasing crop yields by up to 50 percent in arid zones according to Israel's Foreign Ministry.

Modi's 2017 visit to Israel, the first by an Indian prime minister, included stops at the Volcani Center agricultural research institute and a cybersecurity startup incubator in Tel Aviv. Those meetings produced ongoing pilot projects in desert farming that now operate in both the Negev and Rajasthan. Israeli companies such as Netafim and IDE Technologies maintain permanent teams in India, adapting technologies originally developed for Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley.

Geopolitical Context Involves Iran and Global Mediation

Both countries navigate complex relations with Iran. While India continues limited purchases of Iranian oil through waivers, it simultaneously deepens security coordination with Israel against Iranian proxy networks. The Abraham Accords framework has opened additional channels, with Israeli diplomats in the UAE and Bahrain coordinating trilateral technology initiatives that include Indian participation. India's role as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, alongside its leadership in the Global South, positions New Delhi as a useful interlocutor for Israeli interests in multilateral forums.

Shin Bet assessments shared with Indian counterparts highlight the risk of Hezbollah and Hamas operatives using third-country routes that also concern Indian security services. The 2024 designation of additional Iran-backed entities by both governments reflects this convergence.

Future Trajectory and Regional Implications

Netanyahu's congratulatory statement signals continuity in a relationship that has survived changes in both governments. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials in Jerusalem expect further agreements on AI-enabled border surveillance and joint satellite launches from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. For Israeli readers in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the strengthened partnership offers diversified export markets and intelligence advantages at a time when threats from Gaza and Lebanon remain acute.

Daily security cooperation affects operational planning for the IDF, while agricultural and water projects provide tangible models for Israeli farmers facing similar climate pressures. The milestone in Modi's tenure therefore reinforces a pragmatic axis that prioritizes concrete capabilities over rhetorical alignment, with direct consequences for Israel's strategic depth in Asia.