Israel's prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu (right) with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi (centre) at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP via GettyIndian prime minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to Israel on Wednesday. Modi said he discussed a range of issues with Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu aimed at “deepening and strengthening relations between our countries”. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), backed by Washington, envisions rail links connecting India to Europe via the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. However, the current tension between Saudi Arabia and the Emirates and the lack of progress towards normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel have put the IMEC project on hold.

Source: The Irish Times February 26, 2026 00:12 UTC