Key facts
- India has become a significant contributor to Israel's weapons production, supplying drone warheads, artillery shell casings, and other military components.
- Hundreds of thousands of weapons components were shipped from Indian factories to Israeli military suppliers between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025.
- Three state-owned Indian companies are identified as suppliers to Israel, potentially exposing India to complicity in alleged genocide in Gaza.
- A Pew Research survey indicates more Indians view Israel favorably (32%) than unfavorably (28%).
- Over 20,000 Indian workers have moved to Israel since November 2023 for construction and caregiving roles.
- India was Israel's largest defense customer between 2021 and 2025, accounting for 29% of total arms sales.
India's relationship with Israel has significantly deepened, particularly at the strategic and defense levels, amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This evolving bond is highlighted by India's emergence as a key part of Israel's weapons supply chain, a shift from its traditional role as a major customer.
An investigation by Amnesty International revealed that Indian companies, including state-owned enterprises, have supplied hundreds of thousands of weapons components, such as drone warheads and artillery shell casings, to Israeli military suppliers between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025. This occurs despite international concerns and restrictions on arms supply to Israel due to its military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a high Palestinian death toll.
Foreign policy expert Stanly Johny suggests this closer relationship is partly due to an ideological alignment between Hindutva and Zionism, with Israel viewed by some in India as a model nationalist state and a bulwark against Islamic expansion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cultivated a personal rapport with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring this political alignment.
Despite the Amnesty report and international scrutiny of Israel's actions, including a UN commission's conclusion of genocide in Gaza, there has been limited public debate or political backlash in India. A Pew Research survey indicated that a majority of Indians view Israel favorably. The Indian government has stated that its military product exports are guided by national interest and domestic laws.
Beyond military supplies, thousands of Indian workers have also moved to Israel to fill roles vacated by Palestinians. Concurrently, India remains a significant customer of Israeli defense equipment, having been its largest defense customer between 2021 and 2025. However, Johny warns that this deepening engagement with Israel could pose risks to India's energy security and economic interests in the wider West Asia region, suggesting a need to restore balance to India's approach to the region.