Daily Newspaper Notes: February 25, 2026

India–Israel Relations and India’s Pragmatic Middle East Diplomacy

Context

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel reflects the strategic evolution of India–Israel ties and a broader shift in India’s Middle East policy from ideological postures to interest-based engagement.

Source: C Raja Mohan writes: With Israel and the broader Middle East, India now has a diplomacy of interests — not slogans, The Indian Express

Core Points:

India–Israel engagement has evolved from taboo, to cautious contact, to strategic partnership.
Strategic depth in relations emerged after 2014 under the Modi government.
Both BJP and Congress governments have contributed, in different ways, to shaping ties with Israel.
India’s engagement with Israel now fits into a wider reorientation of India’s Middle East diplomacy.
Delhi pursues parallel tracks: supporting Palestinian statehood while deepening cooperation with Israel.
India increasingly approaches the region with realism rather than ideological rhetoric.

Early phase: Nehru recognised Israel but did not establish full diplomatic relations; Israel opened a Mumbai consulate in the 1950s.
1977: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as foreign minister, hosted Israeli FM Moshe Dayan secretly.
2003: Ariel Sharon became the first Israeli PM to visit India.
2017: Modi made a landmark visit to Israel; 2026 visit signals major expansion in strategic collaboration.
Congress era: Relations normalised in 1992 under Narasimha Rao but were kept discreet thereafter.
Regional context: Many Arab and Muslim states have normalised ties with Israel; the gap between pro-Palestine rhetoric and actual statecraft has widened.
Post Oct 7, 2023: US–Israeli actions and degradation of Hamas and Hezbollah have weakened Iran and its “Axis of Resistance.”
Israel’s position: Israel has emerged militarily dominant; its influence on US Middle East policy has increased.
Coalition idea: Netanyahu proposed a “hexagonal” regional coalition against radicalism, envisioning a key role for India.
Counter-moves: Some states (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan) are exploring a counter-coalition; Riyadh–Islamabad signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.
India–Gulf expansion: India’s relations with UAE and Saudi Arabia have expanded across energy, investment, defence, fintech, AI, and critical minerals.
Trade: India launched free trade talks with Gulf countries.
Challenges: Regional volatility, US–Iran tensions, Israel’s domestic politics, and humanitarian crises in Gaza.
Driver: India’s expanding interests—energy, diaspora, connectivity, and counter-terrorism—push a pragmatic regional approach.

Strategic Timing Of Modi’s Visit To Israel

Context

Prime Minister Modi’s February 25 visit to Israel is significant primarily because of its timing, occurring amid Israel’s diplomatic isolation, regional instability in the Middle East, and India’s expanding strategic and economic interests.

Source: “Timing of PM Modi’s visit to Israel displays India’s confidence in navigating a combustible region,” The Indian Express

Core Points:

The visit is only the second official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel, highlighting its symbolic importance.
Modi’s presence in Tel Aviv is viewed as a geopolitical signal rather than routine diplomacy.
India–Israel relations have evolved into a visible strategic partnership, with defence cooperation as its core.
The visit reinforces India’s interest in long-term connectivity and regional economic integration.
India continues to pursue a multi-aligned Middle East policy rather than exclusive alignment with Israel.
Engagement with Israel is driven by interests, not ideology.

Past engagements: Modi previously visited Israel in July 2017; he has visited the UAE seven times since 2015.
Diplomatic signalling: India recently joined over 100 states in condemning Israel’s de facto expansion into the West Bank.
Post-Oct 7 fallout: Since October 7, Israel has faced sharp criticism and reduced high-level engagement from many developing countries.
Regional environment: Heightened US military build-up aimed at Iran; direct Israel–Iran tensions; fragile Red Sea maritime security; sensitive energy markets.
Defence ties: Israel supplied air defence systems, drones, precision-guided munitions, and surveillance platforms to India, worth $2.9 billion over the last decade.
Export share: India accounts for 34% of Israel’s defence exports between 2020–2024.
Operational lesson: India’s May 2025 88-hour military confrontation with Pakistan underscored the value of high-technology warfare and integrated air defence, where Israeli support was decisive.
Forward outlook: New defence purchases or co-development agreements may be announced during the visit.
Connectivity: India seeks momentum for the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), linking India to Europe via the Gulf and Israel.
Trade synergy: IMEC aligns with India’s recently signed FTAs with the UAE and the EU.
Multilateral context: The visit coincides with India assuming BRICS chairship and preparing to host the 18th BRICS Summit.
Balanced ties: India maintains ties with Israel, Gulf states, Iran (until recently), and the Palestinian leadership; it does not formally designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Core priorities: De-escalation, energy security, protection of its 9 million-strong diaspora, and pragmatic engagement with Iran, including connectivity interests such as Chabahar port.

Modi’s Visit To Israel Amid West Asia’s Security Turbulence

Context

Prime Minister Modi’s February 25–26, 2026 visit to Israel takes place amid escalating regional instability in West Asia and reflects the deepening India–Israel strategic partnership, particularly in security, defence, technology, and connectivity.

Source: “An Israel visit — its strategic, economic, regional impact,” The Hindu

Core Points:

West Asia faces risks of a major military confrontation, with large US military build-up and heightened Iran–Israel tensions.
Modi’s visit is a standalone engagement with Israel, underlining India’s de-hyphenated approach to Israel–Palestine.
India and Israel share convergence on security and defence due to similar threat environments.
Defence cooperation has progressed from arms imports to joint development and technology collaboration.
Bilateral engagement extends to science, technology, innovation, trade, and connectivity projects.
The visit may address Gaza peace prospects and broader regional dynamics.
India does not automatically align with Israel’s proposed regional “hexagon of alliances.”

Gaza situation: Ceasefire has held since October 2025, but prospects for lasting peace remain uncertain.
Top defence partner: India has been Israel’s largest defence customer for several years, accounting for ~34% of Israel’s arms exports (2020–2024) according to SIPRI.
Major supplies: Israel has supplied UAVs, missiles, special forces equipment, radar systems, and surveillance platforms to India.
Co-development: Barak-8 air and missile defence system is a jointly developed India–Israel platform.
June 2022: ‘India–Israel Vision on Defence Cooperation’ announced during Israeli Defence Minister’s visit.
November 2025: Agreement signed to deepen cooperation in defence, industry, and technology, including sharing advanced systems.
Operational lesson: Operation Sindoor (May 2025) highlighted India’s need for strong air, anti-drone, and missile defence under Mission ‘Sudarshan Chakra’.
Future capability: Possible focus on procurement/co-production of ‘Iron Beam’ high-energy laser system.
Industry deal: Reported ~$1.9 million deal between an Israeli firm and an Indian private defence company for surveillance and threat-detection systems.
Agriculture cooperation: Over 35 India–Israel Centres of Excellence in agriculture and allied areas.
Water management: MASHAV signed cooperation agreements with Haryana (June 2022) and Rajasthan (December 2024).
Trade: Bilateral trade reached $3.75 billion in FY2024–25; India is Israel’s second-largest Asian trading partner.
Investment: September 2025 – Bilateral Investment Agreement signed.
FTA: November 2025 – Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement signed.
Labour & infrastructure: Israel interested in arrangements for Indian infrastructure companies and mobility of skilled workers.
Connectivity: IMEC announced at G20 Delhi (September 2023); stalled by Gaza conflict but now regaining urgency.
Multilateral: February 19, 2026 – Board of Peace summit with participation of 50+ countries; India attended as observer.
Regional outreach: India hosted 2nd India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (January 2026) and engaged Jordan, Oman, and UAE in late 2025–early 2026.
Strategic vision: Netanyahu proposed a “hexagon of alliances” involving India and other regional and extra-regional partners.

India Joins Pax Silica And Deepens US Technology Partnership

Context

India has joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals and has simultaneously strengthened technology cooperation with the US through new AI-focused agreements.

Source: “With Pax Silica and AI Opportunity Partnership, India-US place tech front and centre,” The Indian Express

Core Points:

Securing critical minerals and advanced manufacturing capabilities is a national priority.
Pax Silica aims to reduce “coercive dependencies” in global supply chains.
India formally joined Pax Silica on February 20 at the AI Impact Summit.
The move represents a significant step forward in India–US relations.
India and the US signed the AI Opportunity Partnership to deepen cooperation in AI and R&D.
Technology is emerging as a central pillar of the India–US strategic relationship.
India must safeguard its developing semiconductor and AI ecosystems while engaging the US.

Strategic aim: Pax Silica is designed to counter China’s dominance in critical minerals, especially rare earth elements.
Initial exclusion: India was excluded from the first group of Pax Silica signatories in mid-December last year.
IEA data: China has ~70% market share in refining 19 of the 20 most strategic critical minerals.
Rare-earth control: China controls about 94% of global production of rare-earth permanent magnets.
Leverage risk: China’s dominance enables price influence, supply bottlenecks, and use of minerals as negotiation leverage.
Domestic synergy: Pax Silica may support India’s initiatives such as IndiaAI and the National Critical Mineral Mission.
AI investments: US investment commitments in India’s AI infrastructure accompany these agreements.
Trade linkage: A framework for a US–India trade agreement was concluded shortly before India joined Pax Silica.
Joint statement: Under the AI Opportunity Partnership, the major risk is “not the advancement of AI, but the failure to lead it.”
Policy caution: Care needed to ensure foreign involvement does not shape domestic rules in ways that restrict India’s capacity and participation.

Constitutional Challenge To DPDP Act Amendment Affecting RTI

Context

Petitions challenging the amendment to the RTI Act through the DPDP Act, which grants blanket exemption to personal information, have been referred to a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court due to their constitutional significance.

Source: “Does the Data Act dilute the Right to Information Act?”, The Hindu

Core Points:

Right to privacy recognised as a fundamental right in Puttaswamy (2017).
Court directed the government to establish a data protection regime.
DPDP Act, 2023 provides a legal framework for protection of personal data.
DPDP Act amends RTI Act to remove the public interest exception for disclosure of personal information.
Amendment is challenged as unconstitutional and referred to a Constitution Bench.
Supreme Court has treated the right to information as integral to Articles 19 and 21.
Concern that the amendment weakens transparency and accountability.
Repeal of the amendment and restoration of earlier RTI position is suggested.

Expert committee: Justice B.N. Sri Krishna Committee submitted the data protection report and draft Bill in July 2018.
Legislation: Parliament passed the DPDP Act in August 2023.
Scope of DPDP Act: Protects personal data of individuals (data principals) processed by data fiduciaries.
Earlier RTI position: RTI Act, 2005 Section 8(1)(j) exempted personal information but allowed disclosure if larger public interest justified it.
Key amendment: DPDP Act Section 44(3) amends Section 8(1)(j) to provide blanket exemption to all personal information.
Legislative silence: Statement of Objects and Reasons of the DPDP Act is silent on the purpose of this amendment.
Possible intent: Amendment may be aimed at protecting privacy of public officials.
Constitutional challenge: Petitions argue the amendment is ultra vires the Constitution.
Earlier disclosures: Asset and liability details of public servants could earlier be disclosed under RTI in public interest.
Transparency risk: Amendment can lead to denial of information on procurement records, audit reports, and public spending.
Judicial indication: Supreme Court indicated it may lay down guidelines on what constitutes “personal information.”
Balance principle: Existing RTI framework earlier struck a proportionate balance between privacy and transparency.

India’s Proactive Global Trade Strategy And FTA Expansion

Context

India has adopted a more proactive global trade strategy focused on expanding exports, concluding ambitious FTAs with major economies, and strengthening integration into global value chains.

Source: “India’s trade strategy in a multipolar world,” The Hindu

Core Points:

India aims to boost exports and consolidate its position as a leading global trade partner.
Updated Foreign Trade Policy (2023) targets exports of $2 trillion by 2030.
Trade strategy reflects strategic autonomy combined with engagement with major global powers.
India has shifted from a cautious to an aggressive FTA-driven approach.
FTAs are central to export growth, supply-chain integration, and high-value manufacturing.
Trade agreements are also instruments of economic diplomacy and global influence.
Strategy supports India’s long-term objective of becoming an economic superpower and achieving Viksit Bharat.

Export performance: Total exports (merchandise + services) grew 6.05% annually to $825.25 billion (2025 Year-End Review).
FTA coverage: Projected to reach ~71% of India’s export basket by 2026, up from ~22% in 2019.
Partner focus: Deeper integration with advanced economies such as Australia, EU, UAE, UK, and US.
India–EU FTA (Jan 27, 2026):
- Creates a free trade zone covering nearly two billion people.
- Reduces/eliminates tariffs on over 90% of traded goods.
- Benefits sectors: textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, marine products.
- Enhances competitiveness vis-à-vis Bangladesh and Vietnam.
- Removes tariffs on many pharma exports and strengthens regulatory cooperation.
- Eases access to European machinery and inputs, lowering production costs.
- Expected to promote digital trade, raise investor confidence, and improve resilience.
India–US (Feb 2026): Framework for an interim reciprocal trade agreement signed.
Purpose: Supports negotiations for a broader Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
Focus areas: Progressive tariff reduction, expanded market access, cooperation in rare earths and semiconductors.
MSMEs & jobs: FTAs help integrate MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors into global value chains.
Diversification: Agreements reduce dependence on single markets and broaden export destinations.
Strategic choice: After opting out of RCEP, India pursued calibrated integration alongside domestic manufacturing support through PLIs and infrastructure expansion.

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