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

India’s Strategic Pivot: Deepening Ties with Israel Amid Global Scrutiny

Wanderstayfinder.com – As the Middle East conflict continues to escalate, India has quietly strengthened its partnership with Israel, moving beyond traditional diplomatic alignment into a comprehensive strategic relationship. This evolution comes at a time when India faces mounting international pressure regarding its stance on the Gaza war, yet maintains a notably steady position toward Jerusalem.

The transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents a significant departure from India’s historical role as a champion of the Palestinian cause and a leading voice within the Non-Aligned Movement. What was once a relationship built primarily on defense procurement has matured into something far more interconnected.

From Buyer to Supplier: A Fundamental Shift

A recent investigation by Amnesty International has illuminated the depth of India’s involvement in Israel’s military ecosystem. The findings reveal that New Delhi has transitioned from being primarily a major purchaser of Israeli weapons to becoming a significant contributor to Israel’s weapons production capabilities.

Through numerous joint ventures and manufacturing partnerships, Indian companies—including state-owned enterprises—have been delivering critical components to Israeli military suppliers. These shipments include drone warheads, artillery shell casings, small arms parts, and military vehicle components, all of which carry substantial risk of ending up in weapons deployed in Gaza.

It isn’t just a political or diplomatic shift, it’s also at the strategic and defence level. — Stanly Johny, Indian foreign policy expert

By examining publicly available shipment-level trade data, Amnesty International traced hundreds of thousands of weapons components moving from Indian factories to Israeli military suppliers between 7 October 2023 and 30 November 2025. The specific figures include 390,516 small arms parts for military grade weapons, 564,970 parts of explosive ordnance, and 298 components of military vehicles.

International Context and Domestic Response

While many western nations have taken action to restrict or ban arms supplies to Israel over concerns about international humanitarian law violations, India has maintained its position. The United States continues to account for the overwhelming share of major arms transfers to Israel, but India’s growing role has not gone unnoticed.

The international legal landscape has become increasingly complex. An independent United Nations commission of inquiry concluded in September that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, while another commission earlier this year found that Israel is continuing to commit genocide by deliberately targeting Palestinian children. Separately, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of committing war crimes.

Remarkably, the Amnesty report has not triggered any large-scale public debate or political backlash within India, despite some scattered media coverage. This domestic calm reflects deeper ideological currents that have been building for years.

The Ideological Foundation

Stanly Johny, who serves as the international affairs editor at the Hindu, attributes India’s steady support to the ideological confluence between Hindutva and Zionism. In rightwing circles across India and beyond, Israel is increasingly viewed as a bulwark against the expansion of Islam. Hindu nationalists have long admired Israel as a model of a nationalist state capable of asserting itself in a volatile regional environment.

Author Pankaj Mishra documented this affinity in a 2017 essay, noting that his grandfather belonged to high-caste Hindus who saw Israel as an example of how to deal with Muslims in the only language they understood: that of force and more force.

Public opinion data supports this narrative. A Pew Research survey published in June revealed that 32 percent of Indians view Israel favorably compared to 28 percent who view it unfavorably. This stands in contrast to declining support for Israel in many western countries, including the United States, since the war began.

Personal Diplomacy and Strategic Timing

Modi has cultivated a personal rapport with Netanyahu that extends beyond formal diplomatic channels. In 2017, he became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, establishing a foundation for closer ties. Modi’s visit to Israel earlier this year proved particularly significant, arriving just 48 hours before Israel and the United States launched their attacks on Iran.

The visual symbolism of Modi hugging Netanyahu on the tarmac, combined with New Delhi’s noticeably muted response at the outbreak of war, sent clear signals about where India’s political establishment stands. These gestures have not gone unnoticed internationally, particularly after US Vice-President JD Vance publicly rebuked Netanyahu in July.

As the conflict continues to reshape global alliances, India’s deepening relationship with Israel represents more than bilateral convenience—it reflects a fundamental reorientation of Indian foreign policy priorities in an increasingly multipolar world order.