In a striking front-page feature, Israel’s leading daily, The Jerusalem Post, has celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel as the dawn of a transformative era in ties between two ancient civilizations. As Modi prepares to land in Tel Aviv on Wednesday for a two-day official trip, the newspaper’s headline boldly proclaims: ‘Two ancient nations begin a new chapter.’
This historic journey, the first by an Indian prime minister in nearly nine years, underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and Israel. Amidst a backdrop of accelerating bilateral engagements in recent months, Modi’s itinerary promises high-level deliberations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Discussions are set to cover critical domains including defense, cybersecurity, agriculture, water management, innovation, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Post’s coverage highlights Israel’s longstanding view of India as a pivotal ally. Analysts note that while mutual trust and shared historical insights have laid a strong foundation, the pace of implementation has lagged behind vast potential. A dedicated article titled ‘The Modi Doctrine’ recalls Modi’s groundbreaking 2017 visit, when he became the first Indian PM to arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport, shattering decades of diplomatic reticence.
Former Israeli Ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz praises Modi’s personal affinity for Israel, describing New Delhi’s evolving stance as both clear and deeply personal. Another insightful piece by Herb Keinon frames the visit not merely as protocol but as a response to shifting global geopolitics. It references Netanyahu’s warm 2017 welcome, echoing Israel’s long-awaited embrace after India’s 1947 UN vote against its creation and full diplomatic ties established only in 1992.
Israeli Ambassador to India JP Singh, quoted in the paper, calls this ‘a new phase’ in relations, blending symbolism with substance. As Modi steps onto Israeli soil, expectations run high for invigorated collaboration across political, strategic, and economic fronts, potentially reshaping alliances in a volatile world.