Jerusalem: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, Israel, Wednesday, February 25, 2026. (IANS/PIB)
Tel Aviv, February 25 (IANS) Highlighting that India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the country stands firmly with Israel with full conviction in the fight against the global menace.
"I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time," PM Modi said during his historic address at the Israeli Parliament, Knesset - the first-ever by an Indian PM.
In his landmark speech, which received a huge applause by the Israeli parliamentarians on a number of occasions, PM Modi said that the Gaza Peace Initiative endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway.
"It is important to sustain hope. The Gaza Peace Initiative, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council, offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people in the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity," he said.
Prime Minister Modi said that he was very happy to be in Israel again, returning to the land to which he has always felt drawn.
"I bring with me the greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and a message of friendship, respect and partnership," said PM Modi spotlighting that he was born on the same day that India formally recognised Israel – September 17, 1950.
In his address at the Knesset, PM Modi also labelled the Holocaust as one of humanity’s darkest chapters.
"Yet, even in those turbulent years, some acts of humanity stood out... The Maharaja of Nawanagar in Gujarat, also known as the Jam Saheb, offered refuge to Polish children, including Jewish children, who had nowhere else to turn," he stated.
In his address at the special plenary session of the Israeli Parliament, PM Modi also mentioned that Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination.
"They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society," he said.
Earlier, the Knesset gave a rousing welcome to PM Modi as the members stood clapping and the entire hall reverberated with chants of "Modi, Modi".
"Mr. Prime Minister, Jerusalem me aapka swagat hai, Knesset me aapka swagat hai (Welcome to Jerusalem, Welcome to the Knesset)," Speaker Amir Ohana said in Hindi while welcoming PM Modi to the Israeli Parliament.
He also called PM Modi as the "defining statesmen of our times".
India to expand trade, strengthen investment flows with Israel: PM Modi
India is committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development with Israel and the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.
During his historic address at the Israeli Parliament, Knesset -- the first-ever by an Indian PM -- Prime Minister Modi said that in the last few years, India has concluded a number of important trade agreements with other nations.
"To your West, the European Union, and the UK. To your East, the UAE and Oman. Our bilateral goods trade (with Israel) has grown manifold in recent years. But, it does not reflect the full scope of opportunity. That is why our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious Free Trade Agreement. It will unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship," PM Modi noted.
The Prime Minister further stated that they will also work closely in different formats such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the I2U2 framework between India, Israel, UAE and the US.
"Israel is often called the 'start-up nation'. In recent years, we have also been working to unlock the innovation and creativity of our youth. I recall that in 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I inaugurated the iCreate Technology Business Incubator in India. Since then, it has supported nearly 900 such start-ups," said PM Modi.
Last week, India hosted the world's largest and most democratised AI Impact Summit, with representatives from over 100 countries.
"Our aspirational spirit aligns naturally with Israel’s innovation ecosystem. I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. We are also working with Israel on creating cross-border financial linkages using our Digital Public Infrastructure," PM Modi highlighted.
"I mentioned how inspiring we found Israel's agricultural miracle in the desert. Israeli expertise in precision irrigation and water management has already transformed agricultural practices in India," he said.
"Together, we have established 43 Centres of Excellence across India that have provided training to more than half a million farmers. We should now set an ambitious goal of expanding to 100 Centres to benefit millions of farmers and fishermen," the Prime Minister said.
