India and Israel have cultivated a robust strategic partnership based on shared interests in defense, technology, agriculture, and counter-terrorism. Since normalizing relations in 1992, they have transitioned into key allies, with Israel becoming a top defense supplier and India emerging as a major market for Israeli technology, fostering a “special” and high-trust relationship. This bonhomie with Israel’s fascist stance hyphenates India with a country that is increasingly fascist, racist, colonial, militaristic, and the only official apartheid state in the world.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Israel on February 27-28, 2026, marking a significant, high-stakes visit to deepen these ties during his third term. The partnership between India and Israel, characterized by deep defense, technology, and intelligence cooperation, is often criticized for enabling right-wing, anti-minority policies, particularly regarding Kashmir and Palestine. This is a sharp shift from India’s historical solidarity with Palestine to a strategic alignment under Narendra Modi, which is increasingly accused of being a “symbiotic” relationship based on a shared “occupation playbook” with Israel. 

Critiques of this rapidly evolving partnership is situated in concerns about the ideological alignment and targeting minorities. 

The strengthening ties under Prime Minister Modi are fuelled by a shared right-wing, nationalist ideology. This alignment has led to accusations that Indian policies in Jammu and Kashmir are modelled after Israeli practices in occupied territories.

The strengthening ties under Prime Minister Modi are fuelled by a shared right-wing, nationalist ideology. This alignment has led to accusations that Indian policies in Jammu and Kashmir are modelled after Israeli practices in occupied territories.

Defense collaboration has foundations in “Occupation” Tech. India is the largest customer of Israeli defense equipment. Journalist Azad Essa, senior reporter for Middle East Eye, argues that this, particularly surveillance and drone technology, directly aids........

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