PM Modi's Israel Visit LIVE Updates: Free Trade Agreement Likely To Take Centre Stage At Bilateral Talks

India and Israel are set to hold bilateral talks on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a state visit to the country. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is likely to dominate the bilateral talks between the two nations.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi being conferred the medal of the Knesset, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it is a proud moment for India and every Indian, reflecting deep trust and mutual respect between the two nations.

“This distinguished recognition reflects the deep trust, mutual respect and strategic convergence that define the India-Israel partnership today. It is a proud moment for our country and every Indian”, Singh wrote in a post on ‘X’.

On the second and final day of his visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Later in the day, PM Modi will hold interactions with President Isaac Herzogis.

He is also scheduled to engage with members of the Indian-Jewish community before he emplanes back for New Delhi.

Foreign Affairs expert Mahesh Sachdev described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Israel visit as a “very important context”.

“Prime Minister’s visit to Israel takes place against a very important context. There is no doubt that India-Israel relations have acquired strategic connotations, and they have grown with both sides being enthusiastic about their promotion”, Sachdev told news agency ANI.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pitching for a ‘Hexagon of Alliances’, inviting India to be a part of the same. It is a strategic bloc involving India, Arab nations, African countries, and Mediterranean partners such as Greece and Cyprus, with the aim to enhance cooperation in various sectors.

At the same time, it focuses on countering threats from Iran and extremist networks.

India is eyeing Israel’s newer Iron Beam laser system to provide ‘light-speed’, cost-effective defense against enemy munitions.

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, Iron Beam is a 100 kW class high-energy laser weapon system (HELWS), which can intercept aerial threats like rockets, drones, and mortars using directed energy.

India is currently on the path to ink a historic strategic deal with Israel to acquire Iron Dome technology, not as a simple purchase but as a core component for its indigenous ‘Mission Sudarshan Chakra’ — India’s own AI-enabled multi-layered air defence initiative. The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Modi on August 15, 2025.

Notably, Tel Aviv has officially offered to transfer the technology to New Delhi under the “Make in India” initiative.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Medal of the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the top honour of the Israeli Parliament.

PM Modi dedicated the honour to the lasting friendship and shared democratic values between the two nations, Jaiswal said, as reported by ANI.

PM Modi is a rare world leader who has received top awards from both Israel and Palestine.

In 2018, PM Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine — the highest Palestinian honour for foreign leaders.

In Israel, on Wednesday, he was conferred the highest honour of the Knesset.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attended Technology and Innovations Exhibit in Jerusalem, Israel.

On meeting Narendra Modi upon his visit to Israel, an Indian-Jewish man residing in the country expressed glee, saying he was honoured to meet the Prime Minister.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday pleasantly surprised his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by donning traditional Indian attire ahead of their joint dinner.

Taking to X, Netanyahu wrote, “Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) on Wednesday, where he expressed condolences for the October 7 Hamas attack in 2023, affirming that India stands with Israel in the fight against terrorism.

“I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with conviction in this moment and beyond,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the Palestine issue at Israel’s Knesset and said the Trump administration-led Gaza Peace Initiative is a just and durable solution for the people of the region.

Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Israel – his second to the country – said he is the first Indian prime minister to address the Knesset, which is the Israeli parliament.

The Israel Parliament on Wednesday conferred “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” upon the Prime Minister of India during his address at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) on Wednesday.

PM Modi has become the first one to receive the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal,” which is the highest honour of the Knesset.