Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to build a coalition of allied nations in and around the Middle East, aimed at countering what he described as “radical” threats, ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel.
Speaking on Sunday, Netanyahu said India would be part of this emerging network, which he termed an “axis of nations that see eye to eye” with Israel. He also mentioned Greece, Cyprus, and several unnamed Arab, African, and Asian countries as potential partners.
“In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East,” Netanyahu told reporters, according to the Times of Israel. “The intention is to establish a coalition aligned against radical axes, both the Shia axis, which we have engaged heavily, and the emerging radical Sunni axis.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed full support for Israel’s vision and reaffirmed the strength of bilateral ties. In a post on X, Modi said, “India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing regional tensions. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has targeted groups aligned with Iran, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, and heightened hostilities have persisted since last June, when Israel and Iran clashed in a 12-day conflict that involved attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Analysts note that the India-Israel partnership reflects broader strategic cooperation across defense, technology, and economic sectors, while also signaling a closer alignment against regional threats identified by both nations.