A LOOK BACK: From historic visits to warm moments of friendship, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister Modi have built a remarkable partnership.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 24, 2026
🇮🇱🤝🇮🇳 Looking forward to welcoming you back, @PMOIndia @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/jpCjMR8B9M
The principal opposition party, Congress, on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Israel visit, stating the BJP leader will be displaying "moral cowardice" when the entire world is critical of Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu.
Congress General Secretary in-charge (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Modi is "brazenly embracing" his Israeli counterpart, who is criticised for the military high-handedness of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in the Gaza Strip and for planning the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
On May 20 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru was in Gaza and met with the Indian contingent of the UN Emergency Force there.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 25, 2026
On Nov 29 1981, India issued a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine.
On Nov 18 1988, India formally recognised the state of Palestine.
That… pic.twitter.com/J0RDHoEVEH
On 20 May 1960, Jawaharlal Nehru was in Gaza and met with the Indian contingent of the UN Emergency Force there, Jairam Ramesh recalled. On 29 November 1981, India issued a commemorative postage stamp in solidarity with Palestine, and on 18 November 1988, India formally recognised the State of Palestine, he pointed out.
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"That was a different era. Now the Indian Prime Minister is brazenly embracing the Prime Minister of Israel, who has reduced Gaza to rubble and dust and who is orchestrating the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank," Ramesh said on X.
"When the entire world is critical of his 'dear friend' Mr Netanyahu, Mr Modi will be displaying moral cowardice," he alleged.
Earlier, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hoped Prime Minister Modi would mention the genocide in Gaza while addressing the Israeli Parliament and demand justice for them.
In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "I hope that the Hon. Prime Minister @narendramodi ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them."
I hope that the Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them. India has stood for what is right throughout our history as…
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 25, 2026
She asserted, "India has stood for what is right throughout our history as an independent nation; we must continue to show the light of truth, peace and justice to the world."
Modi's visit begins on Wednesday to shore up bilateral defence and trade cooperation between the two countries. It will be Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years.
The India–Israel relationship was elevated to the level of a strategic partnership during Modi's first visit to that country in July 2017.
The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the government has abandoned the Palestinians and said the Prime Minister was going to Israel despite that country's attacks on civilians in Gaza continuing "mercilessly".
