"Full Confidence In Security": Israel After Netanyahu's India Visit Deferred

The planned December visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India has been postponed, reportedly due to security concerns following a recent blast in Delhi. The decision to delay the visit comes after an explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on November 10, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.

While initial reports linked the postponement to security fears stemming from the Delhi blast, government sources in India have called such connections "misleading" and "factually incorrect". These sources urged caution against "irresponsible" news stories drawing linkages to the Delhi blast.

Israeli media outlet i24NEWS reported that the postponement resulted from the security environment after the New Delhi attack, which triggered a security review by Israeli authorities. Following the blast, which claimed the lives of at least 15 people, Netanyahu conveyed condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, reaffirming the shared resolve against terrorism. He stated, "Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time".

This marks the third time this year that Netanyahu's visit to India has been postponed. The previous cancellations were due to scheduling issues, including the Israeli elections in April and repeat polls in September. Despite the postponements, discussions regarding rescheduling the visit are expected to commence soon. It is anticipated that Netanyahu will seek a new window to visit India in 2026, contingent on improved security conditions.

Netanyahu's last official visit to India was in January 2018, a six-day tour that solidified the partnership between the two nations. That visit was the second by an Israeli Prime Minister to India, preceded by Prime Minister Modi's historic trip to Israel in 2017. Since then, India and Israel have strengthened cooperation in areas like defense, technology, agriculture, and innovation.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently concluded a three-day visit to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other key leaders. Goyal conveyed Prime Minister Modi's greetings to Netanyahu and discussed deepening economic and strategic ties.

Amidst the reports, suspicion has arisen that the Pakistan-linked terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed is connected with Red Fort blast. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is seriously investigating the incident, with Dr. Umar Unn Nabi, a resident of Pulwama in Kashmir, identified as the main accused.

Despite the postponement and security concerns, the relationship between India and Israel remains strong. Both countries have expressed confidence in their ability to address shared challenges, including terrorism, and are committed to further strengthening their strategic partnership.