India-Israel Relations Face Test: From $200M Start To UN Tension

Indian and Israeli diplomats shake hands across a formal conference table in a grand marble hall, establishing diplomatic relations between the two nations in 1992, with national flags prominently displayed.

In 1992, India and Israel started full diplomatic relations, beginning trade at about $200 million. This important step laid the base for future cooperation in defence, trade, and technology over the next decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu share a warm handshake on the red carpet at Ben Gurion Airport in 2017, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to Israel, with honour guards and Air India aircraft in background.

In 2017, PM Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. The visit marked a historic moment and strongly boosted the India-Israel strategic partnership across defence, trade, technology, and other key areas.

Military officials examine advanced missile defence systems and drone technology at an Indian defence exhibition, with a digital display showing bilateral trade growth from 200 million to 10.7 billion peak between India and Israel.

Between 2014–2024, India became the biggest buyer of Israeli weapons, making up over 38% of its arms exports. Trade reached $10.7B in 2022-23, mainly from petroleum and diamonds, before falling due to war disruptions.

Indian and Israeli engineers collaborate at a Bengaluru tech hub, working on agricultural and cybersecurity innovations, with displays showing 347 million Israeli FDI and 443 million Indian ODI between the nations.

Israel’s total FDI into India crossed $347M with 300+ tech investments. Indian companies invested $443M in Israel in cybersecurity, agriculture, and water sectors, while firms worked together under the Make in India program.

Aerial view of the United Nations General Assembly Hall showing India's delegation signing a joint statement criticising Israeli West Bank settlements, alongside over 100 other nations in a significant diplomatic moment.

India joined 100+ countries at the United Nations to criticise Israel’s settlement expansion in the West Bank. After first staying away, India signed the joint statement, showing a careful diplomatic balance.

Prime Minister Modi walks alongside PM Netanyahu toward the Israeli Prime Minister's Office in 2025, with Indian workers and students visible in the background, representing 32,000 workers and 900 students currently in Israel.

In 2025, PM Modi visited Israel to review ties with Netanyahu. Around 32,000 Indian workers and about 900 Indian students are currently in Israel, many workers hired after the Gaza conflict.