Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to Israel later this month, India is striking a balancing act, reaching out to the Arab world and hosting the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers meeting on Friday (January 30, 2026). Palestine’s Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin will attend the meeting, a day after she called on India to contribute to the massive reconstruction work required in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. The Hindu had first reported that the Prime Minister was planning a trip to Israel, along with a much-delayed visit by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to India. Sources said that Mr. Modi is expected to travel to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem at the end of next month. “The invitation was extended,” Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar told news agency ANI in Delhi, in response to reports about the impending visit.

Source: The Hindu January 29, 2026 12:30 UTC