Israel Calls India 'The Upcoming Superpower' as Ties Deepen

Israel’s Eden Bar Tal praises India’s rise, calls for deeper India-Israel ties across security, tech, and global democratic cooperation.

JERUSALEM – In a strong endorsement of India’s global trajectory, Eden Bar Tal, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared India the “coming superpower,” signaling a deliberate and expanding diplomatic push by Israel to deepen ties with New Delhi across strategic, economic, and societal domains.

Speaking in Jerusalem during a high-level policy dialogue, Bar Tal praised India’s human capital, democratic strength, and global potential, framing the bilateral relationship as one that transcends traditional diplomacy and points toward a long-term strategic convergence.

“India is not only a rising power — it is the coming superpower,” Bar Tal stated. “Its human resources, talent, and democratic foundation make it a natural partner for Israel in today’s complex geopolitical landscape.”

Shared Values, Shared Threats

Bar Tal drew attention to a growing alignment in worldview between the two democracies. He emphasized that India and Israel face similar challenges in a turbulent world order, especially from radical forces that “express themselves through violence.” In this context, he called for democracies to unite against destabilizing influences, positioning India as a pivotal ally in upholding regional and global stability.

“We see the world in the same way — we recognize the same threats and opportunities,” he said, alluding to the rise of extremism, shifting power dynamics, and the strategic recalibration happening in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.

A New Axis of Partnership?

Bar Tal went further to suggest the possibility of a broader strategic alignment involving Israel, India, the United States, and Gulf nations. Such a framework, he hinted, could form the backbone of a pro-democracy, pro-stability coalition aimed at securing critical global commons — from maritime routes to cyber domains.

This vision echoes recent diplomatic developments, such as the I2U2 grouping (India, Israel, UAE, United States), which has already initiated trilateral and quadrilateral cooperation in areas ranging from infrastructure to clean energy.

Beyond Business: A Multifaceted Relationship

While defense and trade have traditionally dominated the India-Israel bilateral agenda, Bar Tal emphasized that the next phase of engagement will be more comprehensive and people-centric.

“Israel’s vision is not limited to business. We seek cooperation across government sectors, industries, and direct people-to-people engagement,” he noted, adding that cultural, educational, and technological exchanges are key to building resilient ties.

His remarks come at a time when India has emerged as one of Israel’s top defense partners, while Israeli technology — from water management to cybersecurity — has gained traction across Indian industries and government initiatives. At the same time, India’s growing global stature, particularly within multilateral forums like the G20, BRICS, and the UN, has prompted Israel to view New Delhi not just as a regional ally, but as a global actor with significant sway.

A Relationship Rooted in Respect

Bar Tal’s address carried a tone of deep admiration for India’s democratic model, societal diversity, and civilizational heritage. Stressing mutual respect as the foundation of the relationship, he reiterated Israel’s long-term commitment to partnership.

“We deeply respect India and value the ties we’ve built. The future of this relationship lies in our ability to expand it beyond the transactional and into the transformational.”

His comments reflect a broader trend in Israeli foreign policy, which is increasingly looking eastward for new strategic partners as the global balance of power evolves.

Analysis: India-Israel 2.0

The India-Israel relationship has matured significantly since diplomatic normalization in 1992, but what Bar Tal outlines is a vision for India-Israel 2.0 — one that is not merely reactive to security imperatives but proactively geared toward shaping the future global order.

With the Middle East undergoing rapid transformation through normalization agreements and strategic realignments, and India positioning itself as a central node in the Global South, both nations have much to gain from deeper collaboration. Whether in technology, defense, counterterrorism, food and water security, or AI, the convergence of interests is real — and growing.

As global uncertainties mount, the message from Jerusalem is clear: India is not just a partner of the moment, but a partner of the future.