Hindus Stand with Israel: A Partnership Strengthened by Shared History, Security, and Mutual Respect

Jul 30

4 min read

A New Campaign Promotes Investment and Dialogue Over Boycotts

The recent launch of the Unbreakable Bond Coalition in New York has drawn international attention after several Muslim organizations announced a campaign opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Rather than supporting economic boycotts, the coalition has called for investment, dialogue, and constructive engagement with Israel, arguing that stronger economic partnerships and people-to-people cooperation offer a more effective path toward peace and coexistence.

The initiative has also highlighted that support for Israel extends beyond the Jewish community. Across India and among the global Indian diaspora, Hindus for Israel has emerged as a growing movement advocating closer India–Israel ties. Many supporters believe that India and Israel share common experiences as democracies that have faced decades of terrorism, cross-border security threats, and religious extremism. These shared challenges, combined with mutual respect for ancient civilizations and cultural heritage, have strengthened public support for deeper cooperation between the two nations.

From Quiet Diplomacy to a Strategic Partnership

India formally recognized Israel in 1950, but full diplomatic relations were established only in 1992. For many years, the relationship remained relatively low-profile as India balanced its historic support for the Palestinian cause with growing engagement with Israel. While cooperation existed in areas such as defence and agriculture, much of it took place away from the public spotlight.

A new chapter began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. His government openly expanded engagement with Israel while maintaining India's support for a negotiated two-state solution. Prime Minister Modi's historic visit to Israel in 2017—the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister—marked a significant turning point in bilateral relations, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to India in 2018.

The partnership has continued to deepen in the years since. In 2026, India and Israel expanded cooperation in advanced defence manufacturing, drone and missile technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, semiconductor research, precision agriculture, water conservation, startup innovation, and digital technologies. Bilateral trade and investment have also continued to grow, while regular strategic dialogues and high-level engagements have reinforced a partnership that now extends far beyond defence into technology, innovation, food security, and economic development.

A Strong Working Relationship Driving Bilateral Cooperation

The growing India–Israel partnership has been supported by sustained engagement between the governments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rather than focusing solely on diplomatic symbolism, both governments have prioritized practical cooperation across strategic sectors.

Over the past decade, India and Israel have expanded collaboration in defence technology, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, agriculture, water management, healthcare, cybersecurity, space research, and innovation. In 2026, cooperation continued to grow through joint efforts in emerging technologies, research partnerships, digital infrastructure, and defence modernisation, reflecting a mature relationship built on long-term strategic interests rather than short-term political engagement.

Why Many Hindus Support Israel

For many Hindus, support for Israel extends beyond geopolitics. Supporters often view India and Israel as two ancient civilizations that have preserved their cultural and religious identities despite repeated security challenges. Both countries have experienced terrorist attacks and have invested heavily in protecting their citizens while maintaining democratic institutions.

Many supporters also point to the fact that both Hindu and Jewish communities have been targeted by Islamist extremist organisations in different regions of the world. This shared experience has strengthened public sympathy between the two communities and reinforced support for cooperation in counter-terrorism, homeland security, intelligence sharing, and defence.

Beyond security, many Hindus admire Israel's achievements in scientific research, innovation, water management, agriculture, and technology, viewing the country as an example of how innovation and resilience can overcome geographical and security challenges.

Centuries of Mutual Respect Between Hindus and Jews

The relationship between Hindus and Jews predates modern diplomacy by centuries. Jewish communities such as the Cochin Jews, Bene Israel, and Baghdadi Jews lived in India for generations, preserving their religious identity while coexisting peacefully within a predominantly Hindu society. Unlike many parts of the world where Jewish communities experienced persecution or expulsion, India became known as one of the few places where Jews were able to practise their faith freely and maintain their cultural traditions.

Many Indian Jews who later migrated to Israel have continued to celebrate Indian customs, cuisine, and languages while speaking warmly about the acceptance they experienced in India. Likewise, many Hindus hold deep respect for the Jewish people, recognising their resilience in preserving one of the world's oldest continuous religious traditions despite centuries of persecution.

Supporters of India–Israel ties also point to the contrasting experiences of Jewish communities in the region. India continues to preserve its historic synagogues and Jewish heritage, while Pakistan's once-small Jewish community disappeared after Partition, and today the country has no functioning synagogue or established Jewish community. Many view this contrast as reflecting India's long-standing tradition of religious coexistence and the enduring goodwill between Hindus and Jews.

A Partnership That Continues to Grow

The emergence of campaigns opposing the BDS movement, together with continued support from groups such as Hindus for Israel, reflects the diverse international perspectives surrounding Israel. While opinions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict continue to differ, the relationship between India and Israel has steadily expanded through defence cooperation, agricultural innovation, water technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, healthcare, scientific research, startup collaboration, and growing bilateral trade.

Over the past decade, India–Israel relations have evolved from a relatively low-profile partnership into one of India's most significant strategic relationships. Continued cooperation in defence manufacturing, counter-terrorism, precision agriculture, water conservation, innovation, semiconductor research, and emerging technologies demonstrates the depth of this partnership. For many supporters, the growing relationship reflects not only shared strategic interests but also centuries of mutual respect between Hindus and Jews, strengthened by a common commitment to security, innovation, and peaceful coexistence.

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