Overview: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Israel in February 2026, the two nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity.” This visit reinforces India’s diplomatic strategy of de-hyphenation, balancing robust ties with Israel while maintaining strategic engagement with the Arab world.
Key Points:
- The bilateral relationship was officially upgraded from a Strategic Partnership to a “Special Strategic Partnership.”
- Collaboration will heavily focus on next-generation technologies: Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and semiconductor manufacturing.
- The visit reaffirms India’s “de-hyphenation” policy, treating ties with Israel and Palestine as mutually exclusive and independent of one another.
- Both nations have accelerated negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a Bilateral Investment Agreement.
- The move exemplifies India’s “multi-alignment” doctrine, securing critical defense tech from Israel while protecting energy and trade interests with Gulf nations.
Source Link: Official PMO Joint Statement
Q. In the context of India’s foreign policy, the term “de-hyphenation” is most frequently used to describe India’s diplomatic approach toward which of the following pairs of entities?
A) USA and Russia
B) China and Taiwan
C) Israel and Palestine
D) Iran and Saudi Arabia
