India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries. The visit comes as the region faces rising concerns over possible conflict between the United States and Iran.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, first visited Israel in 2017, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so. During that trip, he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, still in power, walked barefoot on a beach in Haifa. The two leaders maintain a friendly relationship and are expected to hold talks on defence, artificial intelligence, and trade.

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An Israeli official said the visit will pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across multiple sectors. Modi is also expected to address Israel’s Knesset, the country’s parliament, and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, the official Holocaust memorial.

The timing of Modi’s visit is sensitive. The United States has deployed a large naval force near Iran, including an aircraft carrier heading to Israel’s coast, amid stalled talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Any US strike on Iran could trigger retaliation, potentially affecting Israel and Gulf Arab nations, where millions of Indians live and send remittances home.

Experts say New Delhi seeks stability in the region. Kabir Taneja of the Observer Research Foundation noted that India has consistently sent messages discouraging conflict, which will likely be reinforced during the visit.

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Netanyahu described India as part of a future “axis” of like-minded nations cooperating against what he called the “radical Shi’ite axis” and the “emerging radical Sunni axis.” While India is interested in purchasing Israeli military equipment, analysts suggest New Delhi is unlikely to join any formal military alliance due to its long-standing non-alignment policy.