Israel Visit – Congress Questions Modi’s Timing Amid Gaza Crisis
Israel Visit – Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his scheduled trip to Israel, accusing him of turning a blind eye to international criticism surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Ramesh argued that the visit comes at a time when several countries have voiced concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Congress Cites India’s Historical Support for Palestine
In a message posted on X, Ramesh referred to earlier milestones in India’s engagement with Palestine to underline what he described as a shift in the country’s moral positioning. He recalled that on May 20, 1960, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Gaza and met Indian personnel serving with the United Nations Emergency Force. He also noted that India issued a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine on November 29, 1981, and formally recognised the State of Palestine on November 18, 1988.
According to Ramesh, those actions reflected India’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. He contrasted that period with the present, alleging that the current leadership is embracing Israel at a time when Gaza has faced widespread destruction and when concerns have been raised globally about settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
Priyanka Gandhi Calls for Address on Gaza
Earlier in the day, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also weighed in on the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit. She urged him to raise the issue of civilian casualties in Gaza when he addresses the Knesset during his trip.
In her statement on X, she expressed hope that the Prime Minister would speak about the loss of innocent lives and call for justice. Gandhi stressed that India has historically positioned itself as a voice for peace and fairness in international affairs, and said the country should continue to uphold those principles on the global stage.
Details of the State Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25 and 26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This will mark his second trip to the country, following his 2017 visit, which was the first-ever standalone visit to Israel by an Indian Prime Minister.
During the visit, Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Netanyahu. Discussions are expected to cover the progress achieved under the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and explore further cooperation in key sectors. These include science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that the two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of shared interest.
Meetings With Israeli Leadership
In addition to his meeting with Netanyahu, the Prime Minister is expected to call on Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The visit is being described by officials as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and review collaborative efforts between the two nations.
Government sources have emphasised that India and Israel have developed a broad-based partnership over the years, covering strategic and economic dimensions. The upcoming discussions are likely to focus on consolidating existing initiatives and identifying new areas for cooperation.
Israel Terms Visit ‘Historic’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Modi’s forthcoming visit as “historic,” underscoring what he called the steady expansion of ties between the two democracies. Israeli officials have highlighted growing collaboration in areas such as defence technology, innovation, and agriculture.
As the visit approaches, the political debate within India has brought renewed attention to the country’s diplomatic balancing act in West Asia. While the government continues to deepen its partnership with Israel, opposition leaders have reiterated the importance of India’s traditional support for the Palestinian cause.
The two-day visit is expected to reaffirm the strategic partnership between India and Israel, even as discussions surrounding the Gaza conflict remain a prominent part of the domestic political conversation.