Al Jazeera analysis indicates that while Israel's traditional allies distanced themselves from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Gaza war, India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accelerated its embrace of Israel. This included Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's visit to India in September 2025 to sign a trade deal, even as Europe planned sanctions against him. Modi also visited Israel in February this year, with both leaders emphasizing their close ties. Historically a supporter of Palestine, India's stance has shifted since Modi came to power in 2014, becoming Israel's largest weapons buyer and exporting arms to Israel during the ongoing conflict.