India's Modi visits Israel as US-Iran tensions mount - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxPejdKaW01Vkd3bGw3QUU0SXVLOW1ZWXhSXzZLZWtwQ25TTU83ZHJHVXRYYVR6ckFRZXptVXJXb0tZcm5nWVl2LUpSN0pGOUVWSC1lU3dreGdOQjJWOXl1ZXVZVjUxQjZwcWFNWmtwSVhGY2hWLWVoeDY1cm5kS0pCOHRXMXMxeWdwaTA3SWpVcWlwX3VlVzVTN3RJRXA?oc=5" target="_blank">India's Modi visits Israel as US-Iran tensions mount</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Israel for a two-day diplomatic trip focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in security, technology, and economic sectors. Modi plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, and will address the Israeli parliament. This visit marks a continued shift in India's foreign policy toward stronger ties with Israel, despite its historical support for Palestinians and recent condemnation of Israel's policies in the occupied West Bank.

Modi’s visit comes at a time of rising and complex geopolitical tensions in and around the Middle East. Despite the warm relations between the two countries in recent decades, Modi’s trip comes just a week after India joined more than 100 countries in condemning Israel’s de facto expansion in the occupied West Bank. Analysts said Modi’s visit will be viewed by many as an endorsement of Israeli policies.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, became the first prime minister in India's history to visit Israel in 2017. Both leaders are expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defense at a time when Israel is seeking to increase its military exports. Modi is expected to deliver remarks to Israel's Knesset, or parliament, and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be traveling to Israel on a State visit on February 25-26, where he will meet Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to strengthen cooperation in defense and security, trade and economy, and innovation. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the visit on Tuesday, even as there is tension between the US and Iran and the Pentagon has mobilized its military assets in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday to shore up bilateral defence and trade cooperation amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including deteriorating ties between the US and Iran. Modi's engagements will include his address to Israel's parliament, wide-ranging talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, and a meeting with President Isaac Herzog.

Modi's visit to Israel comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with the U.S. deploying military assets near Iran's coast ahead of possible strikes. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and address regional security concerns.

Modi's two-day visit to Israel is seen as an opportunity to deepen relations between the two countries, coinciding with regional concerns over the risk of military conflict between the United States and Iran.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strengthen cooperation in defense, security, trade, economy, and innovation during his two-day visit to Israel.

Modi's visit to Israel aims to advance decisions to strengthen economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation, marking a significant upgrade in bilateral ties.