PM Modi In Israel: The “Hexagon” Proposal And The 2026 Agenda

JERUSALEM — Arriving at Ben Gurion Airport at midday, PM Modi was greeted with the warmth typical of his “personal friendship” with PM Netanyahu. The visit is strategically timed as Israel seeks to formalize a new regional security architecture—the Hexagon—while India looks to scale its innovation ecosystem through Israeli expertise in AI, Quantum Computing, and Defense.+1

1. Decoding the “Hexagon Alliance”

Days before Modi’s arrival, Netanyahu outlined a vision to create a structured coalition to counter “radical axes” (both Shia and Sunni).

• The Six Pillars: The “Hexagon” is envisioned to include India, Israel, Arab nations, African nations, Mediterranean nations (Greece and Cyprus), and unnamed Asian states.
• The Goal: A system of structured cooperation focusing on intelligence-sharing, defense coordination, and strategic resilience.
• The Sectarian Frame: Netanyahu explicitly described it as a counter to radicalism, a branding that has already caused ripples across West Asia and sparked a retaliatory resolution in the Pakistan Senate.

2. High-Tech & Strategic Milestones

The 2026 visit is less about symbolic gestures and more about hard-coded technology transfers:

• Knesset Address: PM Modi is slated to become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset plenum, a rare honor signaling the depth of the partnership.
• Tech Pillars: High-level talks are focused on Quantum Computing and AI Sovereignty, sectors where Israel’s innovation and India’s scale are seen as perfect complements.
• Investment Protection: Reports suggest the two nations are finalizing a critical Investment Protection Agreement to safeguard growing bilateral trade, which topped $4 billion in 2024.

3. Diplomatic Tightrope: Risks and Realities

While Netanyahu is eager to institutionalize this “axis,” New Delhi remains cautious:

• Strategic Autonomy: Historically, India avoids rigid military blocs. Analysts suggest India views the Hexagon more as a “branding of existing relationships” rather than a NATO-style commitment.
• The ICC Factor: Greece and Cyprus (named in the Hexagon) are ICC members, creating a legal paradox as the ICC has an active warrant for Netanyahu—an issue India, a non-member, does not face.
• The Iran-US Tension: The visit coincides with renewed US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, forcing India to balance its growing Israel ties with its energy interests in the Persian Gulf.

Itinerary: PM Modi’s Israel Visit (Feb 25–26, 2026)