India’s Deepening Defense Partnership with Israel

Since the Gaza conflict began on October 7 2023, India has moved from being a major purchaser of Israeli weapons to a “significant contributor” to Israel’s weapons production, according to an Amnesty International investigation. The report traced shipments from Indian factories to Israeli military suppliers through November 30 2025, documenting 390,516 small-arms parts, 564,970 explosive-ordnance components and 298 vehicle parts. Between 2021 and 2025, New Delhi was Israel’s largest defence customer, accounting for 29 % of Israel’s total arms sales, per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, India’s relationship with Israel deepens

In addition to hardware, more than 20,000 Indian workers have migrated to Israel since a bilateral agreement in November 2023, filling construction and caregiving roles vacated by Palestinians barred from entry after the October 2023 attacks.

As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, India’s relationship with Israel deepens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal rapport with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighted by a 2017 historic visit and a 2024 meeting just 48 hours before Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, underscores a strategic convergence. A Pew Research survey released in June found 32 % of Indians view Israel favorably versus 28 % unfavorably, contrasting with declining support in many Western nations. Commentators attribute this alignment to an ideological overlap between Hindutva and Zionism, noting that right-wing circles view Israel as a bulwark against perceived Islamic expansion.

As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, India’s relationship with Israel deepens

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal affirmed that India’s exports comply with national laws and international obligations. When questioned in Parliament in 2024, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said details of military exports are not public and are guided by “national interest.” A 2024 petition by civil servants and activists seeking a Supreme Court injunction on arms sales was dismissed, with the court ruling the matter falls within executive discretion.

As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, India’s relationship with Israel deepens

“In India, you don’t see any anger towards the government for its relationship with Israel, despite the allegations the Israeli government is facing,” — Johny

As conflict in the Middle East intensifies, India’s relationship with Israel deepens