Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Israel on Wednesday, with defence and trade cooperation high on the agenda. The visit is expected to further deepen the growing strategic engagement between the two countries.

During the trip, India and Israel are set to upgrade their relationship to a “special strategic partnership”, marking a significant step beyond the strategic partnership established in July 2017 during the Prime Minister’s first visit to the country.

Sources indicated that the new framework would enable expanded collaboration, including joint development of advanced defence systems and a strengthened understanding to support each other during times of need.

High-level engagements in Jerusalem

Mr Modi will be received at the airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. The two leaders are scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting shortly after his arrival.

In Jerusalem, the Prime Minister will interact with members of the Indian community before addressing lawmakers at the Knesset, a distinction reserved for select global leaders.

On Wednesday evening, he will attend a technology exhibition showcasing Israel’s advancements, with leading Israeli industry executives expected to be present. Mr Netanyahu will also host a private dinner in his honour.

Tribute at Yad Vashem and presidential meeting

On Thursday morning, Mr Modi will pay tribute to Holocaust victims at Yad Vashem. He is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog during the visit.

Defence cooperation and technology partnerships

Several memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed, including a widely discussed agreement in the defence sector. As part of the proposed arrangement, a secrecy mechanism will reportedly be created to facilitate expanded cooperation in previously restricted areas.

Local media reports have indicated discussions around air defence systems and possible integration of India into Israel’s laser-based air defence system, Or Eitan.

Beyond defence, the two nations are expected to formalise cooperation in emerging and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum research and cybersecurity.

In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said the visit would reaffirm the deep-rooted strategic partnership and provide an opportunity to align efforts in addressing shared challenges while strengthening collaboration between the two democracies.

Defence cooperation has been a cornerstone of India-Israel relations, with Israel supplying a range of military platforms and weapon systems to India in recent years. Bilateral ties have also expanded in fields including scientific research, innovation and cybersecurity.

US President Donald Trump has said that tariffs collected from foreign countries could eventually replace the modern system of income tax in the United States, arguing that such a shift would ease the financial burden on American citizens.

Speaking during his annual State of the Union address, Trump defended his sweeping tariff measures, asserting that countries which had “ripped off” the US for years were now paying billions of dollars in duties.

“As time goes by, I believe that tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love,” he said.

The Republican leader credited tariffs as a key driver behind what he described as an economic turnaround. According to him, the US collected “hundreds of billions of dollars” through import duties, which he said helped secure favourable economic and national security deals.

“Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars,” Trump said, adding that the arrangements had resulted in growth and no inflation during that period.

Supreme Court ruling draws sharp reaction

Trump also criticised a recent 6-3 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down his earlier sweeping import duties. He termed the verdict “very unfortunate” but maintained that most countries and corporations would continue to honour agreements already negotiated.

He said alternative legal provisions would allow his administration to retain similar tariff measures without requiring new congressional approval. “They’re a little more complex, but they’re actually probably better,” he said, referring to the legal statutes under which the revised duties would be imposed.

Hours after the ruling, Trump signed a fresh order imposing a 15 per cent tariff on imports from around the world. The new measure falls under a law that limits such duties to 150 days and is expected to take effect almost immediately.

Reciprocal tariffs and global backlash

On April 2, Trump announced “reciprocal” tariffs of up to 50 per cent on imports from countries with which the US runs trade deficits, along with a 10 per cent baseline tariff on most other nations. He invoked a 1977 law to declare the trade deficit a national emergency, which he said justified the sweeping import taxes.

Following global backlash, the administration suspended the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days to allow negotiations. According to Trump, several countries agreed to new trade terms during that period, while others faced steeper duties for not complying.

Reiterating his stance, Trump also linked tariffs to what he described as conflict resolution efforts abroad, saying the “threat of tariffs” had helped him settle disputes.

Days after the Tarique Rehman-led government assumed office in Bangladesh, President Mohammed Shahabuddin has levelled serious allegations against former chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of attempting to remove him from office through unconstitutional means and destabilise Dhaka.

In an interview to a Bengali daily at Bangabhaban, the President claimed that during Yunus’s tenure, efforts were made to create a constitutional vacuum and disrupt the country’s stability.

Allegations of constitutional breach

Shahabuddin alleged that he was excluded from key state matters for nearly one and a half years. According to him, the former chief adviser did not maintain the constitutionally mandated communication with the President.

He claimed that Yunus undertook 14 to 15 foreign visits but did not brief him upon return or provide written updates, which he described as a constitutional obligation. The President also said he was not informed about major state decisions, including agreements signed with the United States ahead of elections.

Responding to questions about ordinances issued during the interim period, Shahabuddin noted that while some may have been necessary, there was little justification for promulgating as many as 133 ordinances.

‘Palace prisoner’ claim

The President further alleged that he was effectively reduced to a “palace prisoner” during the interim government. He said two of his proposed foreign visits — to Kosovo and Qatar — were blocked by the administration at the time.

He also referred to a purported attempt to replace him with a former chief justice through unconstitutional methods, claiming that the proposal was declined on constitutional grounds.

Recalling events of October 22, 2024, Shahabuddin described protests outside the presidential residence as a “terrifying night,” alleging that mobs were mobilised and attempts were made to storm the premises. He said the situation was brought under control following deployment of the military.

Support from armed forces and BNP

Shahabuddin stated that the chiefs of the three armed services assured him of their support, reiterating that he remained the supreme commander of the armed forces. He also credited the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for helping maintain constitutional continuity during the period of tension.

The allegations come amid political shifts in Bangladesh following the formation of the new government, adding a fresh dimension to the country’s evolving political landscape.