Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again pushed back his planned trip to India, which was expected to take place later this year for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to reports in Israeli media, the visit was postponed due to heightened security concerns following a deadly terror attack in New Delhi two weeks ago—one of the worst incidents in the city in more than ten years—which left at least 15 people dead and many others injured.
The news outlet, citing sources, reported that Netanyahu—who last travelled to India in 2018—will now look for an alternative date sometime next year, depending on further security evaluations.
Netanyahu had earlier been expected to make the trip before the end of the year. This latest delay marks the third time in 2023 that he has called off a scheduled visit to India.
In September, the Israeli leader cancelled a one-day visit planned for the 9th, attributing the decision to time constraints arising from Israel’s unprecedented repeat elections on September 17. A similar cancellation occurred prior to the elections held in April.
Within Israel, the proposed visit was largely viewed as part of Netanyahu’s broader effort to highlight his international stature. In July, his party displayed campaign banners showing him alongside PM Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin—an attempt to position him as a statesman operating on the world stage.
His election strategy has leaned heavily on showcasing his rapport with prominent global leaders and portraying himself as indispensable to Israel’s security.
Netanyahu’s most recent trip to India was in January 2018. Modi, for his part, visited Israel in 2017, becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so. Media in both countries have often remarked on the strong personal rapport between the two leaders.
Also Read: Trump Negotiates With Israel, Vietnam, India As Tariff Deadline Looms https://www.vibesofindia.com/trump-negotiates-with-israel-vietnam-india-as-tariff-deadline-looms/
