Israeli PM Netanyahu cancels India visit after Delhi blast
What's the story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his planned visit to India, citing security concerns, Israeli media reported. The trip was originally scheduled for later this year. The cancellation comes in the wake of a recent terror attack in New Delhi that killed 15 people. "Netanyahu, who last visited India in 2018 and was set to return for meetings with PM Narendra Modi, is now expected to seek a new date next year pending security assessments," i24NEWS reported, quoting sources.
Visit delays
Netanyahu's visit postponed for 3rd time this year
This is the third time this year that Netanyahu has canceled his visit to India. Earlier, he had called off a day-long trip on September 9 due to scheduling conflicts with repeat polls in Israel on September 17. He had also postponed a planned visit before the April elections. Israeli officials had last month described the planned visit as a "warming of strategic relations" between the two nations.
Diplomatic significance
Defense minister was also expected to visit India
Netanyahu's visit was to be followed by Israel Katz, the Defense Minister. This was likely to occur in January or February. According to the Israeli media i24 report, the newfound momentum in strengthening bilateral relations stems from "Modi's outspoken support for Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7, shared concerns over terrorism and Islamic radicalization, and India's ongoing security tensions with Pakistan." These shared objectives have reinforced Jerusalem's strategic engagement with India, particularly in defense, technology, and energy cooperation.