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

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to go to Israel amid escalating tensions and a U.S. navy build-up throughout the West Asian area, members of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Exterior Affairs on Monday (February 23, 2026) raised issues over the timing of the journey.

Mr. Modi is predicted to reach in Israel on February 25. This might be Mr. Modi’s first go to to Israel in 9 years— his 2017 journey marked the first-ever go to by an Indian Prime Minister to the nation—and comes after the 2023 terror assault in Israel, and Israel’s bombardment of Gaza for 2 years, in which greater than 70,000 folks have been killed. Throughout his two-day go to to Jerusalem, PM Modi will deal with the Israeli Knesset (Parliament), attend an innovation occasion on know-how cooperation, and go along with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial museum.

Saying the go to on Sunday (February 23), Mr. Netanyahu instructed his Cupboard that India would be part of a “hexagonal alliance” of regional nations to cooperate on safety points. In a video put up on Monday (February 23, 2026), Ambassador Reuven Azar stated that India and Israel would “replace” their defence and safety agreements”.

The Standing Committee, chaired by senior Congress chief Shashi Tharoor, met to debate the Ministry of Exterior Affairs’ (MEA) budgetary allocations. Through the over three-hour assembly, no less than one member questioned the rationale behind the Prime Minister’s go to at a time when India has issued an advisory urging residents to depart Iran amid fears of a doable U.S. strike. The member famous that Israel, too, could possibly be drawn into the unfolding battle.

Responding to the question, International Secretary Vikram Misri stated that each one Prime Ministerial visits are deliberate holding safety concerns in thoughts. He didn’t make clear whether or not the journey could be cancelled if tensions escalate additional.

A number of members additionally raised issues over the absence of any allocation for the Chabahar Port on this 12 months’s Price range. Mr. Misri reiterated the MEA’s earlier response within the Lok Sabha that India has already fulfilled its dedication of contributing $120 million in direction of procuring port tools and that no further funding is due. Some MPs, nevertheless, accused the federal government of compromising India’s strategic autonomy and permitting the U.S. to affect its relations with different nations.

Mr. Tharoor described the assembly as “complete,” saying it coated a variety of points. Members additionally criticised what they termed the federal government’s neglect of the MEA. A earlier suggestion of the panel had referred to as for no less than a 20% enhance within the Ministry’s allocation, however this 12 months’s funds reveals an increase of solely 7.8% — a determine that a number of MPs identified doesn’t adequately account for inflation.

They famous that India has no diplomatic missions in 41 nations, and in many countries, a single Indian International Service officer manages the whole mission with minimal workers. The MEA’s allocation stays roughly 0.4% of the full Union Price range, which members stated doesn’t align with India’s world ambitions.

Considerations have been additionally raised about insufficient help for the Indian diaspora, notably after the merger of the Ministry of Abroad Indian Affairs with the MEA in January 2016.