Netanyahu announces new regional axis extending «from India to Kush»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the outlines of a new strategic vision aimed at forming an extended regional axis, using a biblical expression to describe the geographical scope of this alliance with the phrase «from India to Kush». Netanyahu explained that this path seeks to connect the Indian subcontinent with the Middle East region, reaching the Mediterranean basin, in a move that reflects Tel Aviv's aspirations to enhance its geopolitical influence.

These statements came during a speech delivered by Netanyahu at a special conference organized by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), where he indicated that Tel Aviv is working diligently to build alliances that go beyond traditional alignments. He affirmed that the goal of this axis is to create a counterweight to what he described as the «two axes of extremist Islam», emphasizing that many countries share this vision with Israel and exchange official visits with it.

Netanyahu invoked the historical connotations of the term «Kush», the ancient Nubian kingdom that flourished in northern Sudan and was contemporary with major civilizations in ancient times. This usage symbolizes Israel's desire to extend bridges of cooperation to include the Horn of Africa and the southern Red Sea regions, giving the new axis a strategic depth that connects trade and security between the continents of Asia and Africa.

These announcements coincide with the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Israel for a two-day official visit, aimed at deepening the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. The visit is expected to witness the signing of new agreements in the fields of defense and advanced technology, which will enhance India's position as a key partner in the axis that Netanyahu seeks to establish.

For his part, Modi stated before his arrival that the relationship between the two countries has moved to a multi-faceted strategic partnership stage, emphasizing the strength of the ties that bind the two sides. This visit comes at a time when bilateral relations have witnessed steady growth since 2014, with cooperation expanding to include vital sectors such as agriculture, cybersecurity, and the development of advanced defense systems.

Economically, Indian investments stand out as a fundamental pillar in this axis, as the giant Indian company «Adani» manages the strategic Haifa Port on the Mediterranean Sea. This economic presence represents a practical translation of the geographical connection idea that Netanyahu spoke about, as the port becomes a focal point for trade coming from the East towards European markets.

In the military aspect, Israeli technologies have proven their strong presence in Indian defense doctrine, especially after the widespread reliance on Israeli-made drones. Field reports revealed that the Indian army used these technologies extensively during military confrontations on the border with Pakistan in 2025, which strengthened confidence in Israeli military technology.

Observers believe that Netanyahu's talk of a «complete circle» in the Middle East reflects a desire to overcome traditional political obstacles by building a network of cross-border economic and security interests. The use of timing associated with «Purim» indicates an attempt to give a symbolic character to the political transformations he hopes to achieve through this new axis that connects rising powers in Asia with the region.

Despite the internal criticism Modi faces in India due to this close rapprochement, common interests in confronting regional security challenges appear to be the primary driver of this policy. Through this alliance, New Delhi seeks to secure its supply lines and ensure a foothold in the new security arrangements taking shape in the Middle East.

In conclusion, Netanyahu's announcement of the «from India to Kush» axis represents an attempt to redefine the political map of the region, away from usual divisions. It seems that the Israeli-Indian alliance will be the cornerstone of this project, which aspires to integrate Israeli technological and military capabilities with India's economic and human weight within a single strategic framework.

We have a great interest in establishing a special axis that includes many countries to confront the two axes of extremist Islam, and it extends from India to Kush, reaching the Mediterranean.