Modi before the Knesset: India stands with Israel with full conviction, and the Talmud documented our historical ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a historic speech before the Israeli Knesset today, Wednesday, announced that his country officially and with full conviction stands by Israel. Modi expressed India's deep admiration for what he described as 'Israel's determination and courage,' emphasizing that New Delhi supports all measures aimed at enhancing stability in the region.

In his speech, Modi touched upon historical and religious aspects, noting that the 'Talmud' included explicit references to India and the sea lanes connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. He considered these ancient ties to form a solid foundation for the contemporary relationship, describing Israel as the 'land of the fathers' while India represents the 'motherland' for their peoples.

Regarding the political path, the Indian Prime Minister affirmed his full support for the peace initiative known as the 'Trump Plan,' which was signed in Egypt and received the support of the UN Security Council. Modi believed that this initiative represents the optimal path to achieving a just and sustainable peace for all peoples of the region, including addressing the Palestinian issue.

Concerning regional agreements, Modi noted that the 'Abraham Accords,' launched years ago, carried great hopes for achieving stability, but are currently facing serious challenges. Despite these challenges, he affirmed his country's commitment to supporting any path that leads to ending conflicts and enhancing joint regional cooperation.

Modi recalled his pride in being the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel nearly nine years ago, and the first high-ranking Indian official to deliver a speech from the Knesset platform. He explained that his current visit falls within the context of deepening the partnership he built with Benjamin Netanyahu, which elevated bilateral relations to the level of a strategic alliance.

On the economic front, Modi praised Israeli technological capabilities, especially in the field of agricultural development in desert areas, describing Israel as a global innovation hub. He affirmed that India, which is close to becoming one of the top three economies in the world, looks forward to a forward-looking partnership based on advanced technology.

The Indian Prime Minister revealed the signing of a joint investment agreement aimed at boosting business confidence in both countries and expanding the scope of trade exchange. He also stressed the importance of major infrastructure projects that the two countries plan to implement jointly, serving mutual economic interests in the long term.

In the area of defense cooperation, Modi noted that military partnerships between New Delhi and Tel Aviv have witnessed significant development in recent years. He pointed to the success of the 'business incubator' he launched with Netanyahu in 2018, which has so far contributed to supporting and growing more than 900 startups in vital fields.

This speech represents a radical shift in Indian foreign policy, which for decades was characterized by its traditional support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the pace of rapprochement has accelerated unprecedentedly under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Modi, leading to this close alliance.

Modi concluded his speech by conveying a message of appreciation from 1.4 billion Indian citizens to the Israeli people, affirming that the ties between the two sides are 'written in blood and sacrifices.' He pledged to continue working with the Israeli government to develop this strategic relationship in a way that serves the aspirations of both countries in the fields of security, innovation, and economy.

Israel is the land of the fathers, and India is the motherland, and the ties that bind us are written in blood and sacrifices.