Story perspectives

Modi Signs Israel Trade Deal, Expanding Defence Cooperation

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 3:26 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Modi Signs Israel Deal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a trade deal with Israel, expanding defence cooperation.
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich visited New Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat in September 2025 to sign the deal.
During the Gaza war, India exported weapons to Israel, becoming its largest weapons buyer.
The United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Norway barred Smotrich from entry.
Analysts say Modi’s closer ties to Israel reflect Hindutva politics and anti-Muslim sentiment.

Summary

Israeli Doctors Emigrate

Israeli physicians emigrated, with 530 leaving in 2024 and two-thirds trained domestically.
Their average pre-departure income rose from about 125,000 shekels (2015-19) to roughly 200,000 shekels in 2024.
Between 2023 and 2025, 268,509 citizens stayed abroad for three months or more, a 47% rise since 2013-15.
Psychologists attribute the exodus mainly to trauma, political polarization, and deteriorating security after Oct. 7.

History

Historical Context

India and Israel moved from informal contacts to full diplomatic ties in January 1992, when each opened an embassy. The partnership grew into a major defence market, with India accounting for about 42 % of Israeli arms exports by the 2010s. In 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich renewed the pact, reflecting the long-standing strategic link.

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Modi Signs Israel Deal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a trade deal with Israel, expanding defence cooperation.
Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich visited New Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat in September 2025 to sign the deal.
During the Gaza war, India exported weapons to Israel, becoming its largest weapons buyer.
The United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Norway barred Smotrich from entry.
Analysts say Modi’s closer ties to Israel reflect Hindutva politics and anti-Muslim sentiment.

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