Parliamentary panel questions timing of PM Modi’s Israel visit amid regional tensions

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Israel amid escalating tensions and a U.S. military build-up across the West Asian region, members of Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs on Monday (February 23, 2026) raised concerns over the timing of the trip.

Mr. Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25. This will be Mr. Modi’s first visit to Israel in nine years— his 2017 trip marked the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country—and comes after the 2023 terror attack in Israel, and Israel’s bombardment of Gaza for two years, in which more than 70,000 people were killed. During his two-day visit to Jerusalem, PM Modi will address the Israeli Knesset (Parliament), attend an innovation event on technology cooperation, and go with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial museum.

Announcing the visit on Sunday (February 23), Mr. Netanyahu told his Cabinet that India would join a “hexagonal alliance” of regional countries to cooperate on security issues. In a video post on Monday (February 23, 2026), Ambassador Reuven Azar said that India and Israel would “update” their defence and security agreements”.

The Standing Committee, chaired by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, met to discuss the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) budgetary allocations. During the over three-hour meeting, at least one member questioned the rationale behind the Prime Minister’s visit at a time when India has issued an advisory urging citizens to leave Iran amid fears of a possible U.S. strike. The member noted that Israel, too, could be drawn into the unfolding conflict.

Responding to the query, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that all Prime Ministerial visits are planned keeping security considerations in mind. He did not clarify whether the trip would be cancelled if tensions escalate further.

Several members also raised concerns over the absence of any allocation for the Chabahar Port in this year’s Budget. Mr. Misri reiterated the MEA’s earlier response in the Lok Sabha that India has already fulfilled its commitment of contributing $120 million towards procuring port equipment and that no additional funding is due. Some MPs, however, accused the government of compromising India’s strategic autonomy and allowing the U.S. to influence its relations with other countries.

Mr. Tharoor described the meeting as “comprehensive,” saying it covered a wide range of issues. Members also criticised what they termed the government’s neglect of the MEA. A previous recommendation of the panel had called for at least a 20% increase in the Ministry’s allocation, but this year’s budget shows a rise of only 7.8% — a figure that several MPs pointed out does not adequately account for inflation.

They noted that India has no diplomatic missions in 41 countries, and in many nations, a single Indian Foreign Service officer manages the entire mission with minimal staff. The MEA’s allocation remains roughly 0.4% of the total Union Budget, which members said does not align with India’s global ambitions.

Concerns were also raised about inadequate support for the Indian diaspora, particularly after the merger of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs with the MEA in January 2016.