India and Israel are deepening their defense partnership as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Jerusalem this week, with bilateral cooperation extending into cutting-edge military technologies including drone systems, missile defense, and cybersecurity capabilities.
The visit comes as Israel's defense exports to India have positioned the Jewish state as New Delhi's second-largest arms supplier, according to Globes. The partnership represents a strategic realignment in which Israel is building robust ties beyond traditional Western allies, while India diversifies its defense procurement away from historical dependence on Russian systems.
"The breadth of cooperation now spans maritime security systems, counter-drone technologies, and intelligence-sharing platforms," noted defense industry analysts. Key technologies under discussion include Israel's Barak 8 naval air defense system, jointly developed with India, and advanced loitering munitions that have proven effective in recent conflicts.
The defense relationship extends beyond arms sales into joint development and manufacturing. Israel has agreed to technology transfers that allow Indian firms to produce components domestically, addressing New Delhi's "Make in India" industrial policy while giving Israeli companies access to India's vast manufacturing capacity.
For Israel, the partnership provides strategic depth in Asia and access to a major market. For India, Israeli technologies offer battle-tested systems, particularly in areas where Western suppliers have been reluctant to share sensitive capabilities. The cooperation also extends to counterterrorism and border security, where both nations face similar challenges.
The timing carries regional significance. As India strengthens ties with Israel, it complicates New Delhi's traditionally balanced approach to Middle East politics and its relationship with Iran, with which it shares strategic interests in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Pakistan, India's rival, has watched the growing Israel-India partnership with concern, particularly regarding intelligence cooperation.
The defense cooperation has flourished even as India maintains diplomatic engagement with Palestinian authorities and Arab states. Modi's government has managed to separate security cooperation from political positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a balancing act that reflects India's evolving foreign policy pragmatism.
In Israel, as across contested regions, security concerns and aspirations for normalcy exist in constant tension. The Israel-India partnership demonstrates how shared security challenges can override traditional diplomatic alignments, reshaping regional power dynamics in both South Asia and the Middle East.
The visit is expected to yield announcements on cybersecurity cooperation and space-based surveillance systems, areas where both nations have advanced capabilities. Trade between the countries has grown to exceed $5 billion annually, with defense comprising a significant portion of bilateral commerce.
