NEW DELHI: India’s relationship with Israel has deepened considerably under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with expanding defence, strategic and economic cooperation placing New Delhi among Israel’s important partners.
A recent Amnesty International investigation said India has become a key part of Israel’s weapons supply chain, marking a shift from its traditional position primarily as a major buyer of Israeli military equipment.
According to Amnesty, Indian companies, including state-owned enterprises, supplied Israeli military firms with components ranging from small-arms parts and explosive ordnance components to military vehicle equipment between October 2023 and November 2025.
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The organisation said shipment data showed 390,516 small-arms parts, 564,970 components of explosive ordnance and 298 military vehicle components were sent from Indian factories to Israeli suppliers during the period.
Strategic partnership expands
Defence cooperation has become an important pillar of India-Israel relations. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India accounted for 29% of Israel’s arms exports between 2021 and 2025, making it the country’s largest defence customer during that period.
Modi has also developed close political ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2017, Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel.
Economic links have expanded beyond defence. More than 20,000 Indian workers travelled to Israel following a labour agreement signed in November 2023, particularly for construction and caregiving jobs.
