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 once again asserted that his administration prevented a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan during last year’s military tensions, claiming that Pakistan’s Prime Minister told him that millions of lives were at stake.

Trump cites Pakistan PM in fresh remarks

Addressing a joint session of the US Congress during his State of the Union speech, Trump said he had ended eight wars within the first ten months of his second term, including tensions between India and Pakistan.

“Pakistan and India would have had a nuclear war,” Trump said. “Thirty-five million people, said the Prime Minister of Pakistan, would have died if it were not for my involvement.”

He attributed the remark to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming Sharif told him that US intervention helped prevent catastrophic casualties during the crisis.

Repeated claims of mediation

Trump has repeatedly stated that his administration brokered peace between the two South Asian neighbours. Since May 10 last year, he has claimed on multiple occasions — including through social media posts — that Washington facilitated a “full and immediate” ceasefire between India and Pakistan following talks.

The tensions followed India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation targeted what India described as terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi said the strikes were carried out in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead.

India rejects third-party role

India has consistently denied any external mediation in the cessation of hostilities. According to New Delhi, the understanding to stop military action was reached through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries.

Indian officials have maintained that no third-party intervention played a role in the talks that led to the halt in hostilities.

Trump’s renewed remarks are likely to draw attention again, given India’s firm stance that the de-escalation was the result of bilateral military-level engagement rather than US-led diplomacy.

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.