It is unsurprising that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel this week has revived arguments about India’s foreign-policy values. Since Independence, India’s policy towards Israel and the wider Middle East has been held to a moral standard rarely applied to other bilateral relationships. Congress is often accused of posturing on the Middle East to woo the minority vote, while the BJP’s enthusiasm for Israel is seen as an extension of its Hindutva agenda. Undeniably, the PM’s visit marks a shift toward greater pragmatism in India’s Middle East policy. At the core of this calibrated approach was Modi’s endorsement of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

Source: Indian Express February 28, 2026 10:05 UTC