On February 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a historic speech to the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister ever to address that legislature. In his address, PM Modi said that India has joined Israel and the international community in support of dialogue, peace and stability in the Middle East region.

PM Modi emphasised India’s support for the United Nations-backed Gaza Peace Initiative, which, according to him, “offers a pathway” to peace. He said, “India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue.”

Talking about the difficult journey towards peace, PM Modi said, “Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region.”

During his speech in Jerusalem, PM Modi also strongly condemned terrorism. He referred to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, calling it a “barbaric terrorist attack”, saying, “We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.”

The Prime Minister reiterated India’s stance that there should be zero tolerance for terrorism and no double standards in fighting it. He noted, “Terrorism aims to destabilise societies, to block development and to erode trust. Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere.”

At the start of his address, PM Modi highlighted the close bond between India and Israel. He pointed out a symbolic connection in dates, saying that he was born on the same day that India formally recognised Israel. He brought greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and conveyed a message of friendship, respect and partnership between the two peoples.

PM Modi’s speech was delivered in the presence of senior Indian dignitaries, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other Indian envoys and officials.

The address was met with warmth and applause from the members of the Knesset. Before PM Modi spoke, the assembly welcomed him with chants of “Modi, Modi” and gave him a standing ovation as he arrived at the Parliament.

Israeli leaders also greeted PM Modi warmly during his visit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who welcomed Modi upon his arrival in Israel, described him as a “great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, and a great leader on the world stage”. Netanyahu added, “Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, also welcomed PM Modi and greeted him in Hindi, saying, “Jerusalem mein aapka swagat hai, Knesset mein aapka swagat hai,” (Welcome to Jerusalem, welcome to the Knesset).

PM Modi’s visit to Israel spans two days and aims to strengthen the India-Israel strategic partnership by focusing on cooperation in areas such as security, economy, technology, defence, and innovation. It reflects the growing diplomatic ties between the two nations as India engages more deeply in global efforts for peace and stability.

Throughout his speech, PM Modi stressed that India stands for global dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts and reaffirmed India’s commitment to international efforts that promote stability and peace in the region.

In delivering this message at the Knesset, PM Modi marked a new milestone in India’s diplomatic outreach, highlighting a commitment to constructive engagement in one of the world’s most complex geopolitical regions.