Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Israel has sent shockwaves through Pakistan, exposing the fragility of its regional posturing. During the two-day trip, Modi received Israel’s highest civilian honor, cementing a bond that’s now rattling Islamabad.
Relations between India and Israel reached new heights, with agreements on joint weapon development, including adaptations of the Iron Dome system. Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu floated the idea of a ‘Hexagon Alliance’ involving India and other nations, a proposal that’s clearly stung Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan’s Senate swiftly passed a resolution condemning Netanyahu, framing India-Israel ties as a threat to regional peace and accusing Israel of isolating Muslim-majority countries. Pakistani media erupted in prime-time debates, with figures like Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Maleeha Lodhi decrying the partnership as anti-Muslim and aimed at countering Pakistan and China.
This unease traces back to military history. In the 1999 Kargil War, Indian Mirage-2000 jets, equipped with Israeli Lightning pods, delivered precision laser-guided strikes against Pakistani intruders. Operations like Balakot in 2019 further showcased Israeli loitering munitions, guided bombs, and drones such as Heron TP and Searcher Mark II in action against terror camps.
Experts point out Pakistan’s hypocrisy: it criticizes defensive partnerships while backing groups like Hamas. Indian officials emphasize that ties with Israel, Russia, and others bolster national security in an unstable neighborhood, never used offensively. The new MoU on co-developing arms systems has amplified Pakistan’s fears, especially as Israel emerges as India’s key defense supplier.
Modi and Netanyahu’s personal rapport has fueled this strategic depth. While Pakistan frets over shifting West Asian dynamics, New Delhi insists these alliances serve mutual benefits without targeting any nation. As defense cooperation deepens, Pakistan’s reactions underscore its strategic anxieties in a multipolar region.