Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “one of our greatest friends” and said his government is investing heavily in strengthening relations with India.
Speaking in a podcast interview released on Monday, Netanyahu stressed the need for Israel to build stronger international partnerships. Referring to India, he said, “We need to cultivate additional alliances. That’s why I’m investing heavily in our relationship with India, with my friend Narendra, who is one of our greatest friends.”
Rejecting claims that Israel is becoming isolated internationally, Netanyahu added, “They say Israel is isolated. The support that Israel—and I personally—receive in India is simply unbelievable.”
Remarks come after JD Vance’s comments
Netanyahu’s remarks came weeks after US Vice President JD Vance suggested that the United States was Israel’s only powerful ally.
During a White House briefing, Vance said, “If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”
Responding indirectly, Netanyahu had earlier highlighted India’s support in an interview with Fox News, saying, “We have some other friends, like a small country called India… it has 1.4 billion people and, boy, do we have tremendous support there.”
He also said Israel receives overwhelming support from people in India on social media.
India-Israel ties remain strong
India and Israel have strengthened their relationship over the past decade, with Modi and Netanyahu maintaining close personal ties. Earlier this year, Netanyahu called Modi a “personal friend” and described India as a “global power.”
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel earlier this year, he said India stood with Israel “firmly with full conviction.” The visit took place shortly before the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated into open hostilities.
Netanyahu compares Gaza to North Korea
In the same podcast, Netanyahu defended Israel’s position on Gaza and compared the territory with North Korea.
“There are only two places in the world people cannot leave: North Korea and Gaza,” he said.
He argued that people in Gaza were unable to leave because other countries were unwilling to accept them. “Why don’t they have the same basic right that billions of people around the world have, the freedom to move?” he asked.
Netanyahu also said Israel plans to develop its own fleet of stealth and unmanned aircraft over the next decade to reduce dependence on foreign military platforms.
