Israel's Strategic Victory: How India-Europe Alliance Strengthens Our Position
As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa take their seats at India's 77th Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026, they witness more than a ceremonial display. They observe the manifestation of a new global order that places Israel at the heart of a transformative strategic triangle.
The presence of the European Union's leadership in New Delhi represents a profound geopolitical shift. Europe has chosen India as its primary partner for reducing dependence on China, creating unprecedented opportunities for Israeli innovation and security expertise to flourish on the world stage.
Operation Sindoor: A Turning Point for Regional Security
The significance of this moment traces back to May 2025 and Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. This operation marked a decisive transformation in Indian strategic doctrine, one that resonates deeply with Israel's own approach to national security.
India demonstrated what Israel has long understood: sovereign nations must define their own security responses without external interference. New Delhi explicitly rejected third-party mediation, showcasing the kind of strategic independence that has been the cornerstone of Israeli defense policy for decades.
The operation revealed India's evolution from security consumer to security provider, utilizing AI-driven intelligence systems, precision strikes, and coordinated defense capabilities that mirror Israel's own military innovations.
The Israeli Connection: Technology and Defense Partnership
Israel's strategic partnership with India has reached unprecedented heights. The indigenous Akash air defense system paired with the MR-SAM (Barak 8) represents a flagship achievement of DRDO-IAI cooperation, demonstrating how Israeli technological excellence enhances India's defense capabilities.
This collaboration extends far beyond military hardware. Israeli expertise in cyber defense, critical infrastructure protection, and intelligence gathering has become integral to India's security architecture. As India transitions from assembly to deep technology absorption, Israeli firms are positioned as preferred partners for joint development rather than simple transactional sales.
The IMEC Corridor: Israel as the Western Gateway
For Israel, the convergence between New Delhi and Brussels creates extraordinary strategic opportunities. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor positions Israel as the vital western link in a transformative trade and security network.
IMEC represents more than infrastructure development through the Port of Haifa. It establishes Israel as the technological and security backbone of a digital corridor connecting three major economic powers. Israeli innovations in cybersecurity, maritime protection, and logistics optimization ensure the corridor's resilience against regional threats.
This development validates Israel's long-term vision of becoming an indispensable bridge between East and West, leveraging our technological superiority and strategic location to create lasting partnerships with democratic nations.
Strategic Autonomy: Lessons for Israel
India's approach to strategic autonomy offers valuable insights for Israeli foreign policy. Like Israel, India maintains complex relationships across the global spectrum while refusing to be constrained by traditional alliance structures.
India's defense exports have grown 34-fold over the last decade, demonstrating how technological independence translates into economic strength and diplomatic leverage. This model resonates with Israel's own experience of transforming security challenges into innovation opportunities.
A New Era of Partnership
The European leaders observing the parade understand what Jerusalem has known for years: India has emerged as a rule-shaping power rather than a rule-following nation. This transformation creates a natural alignment with Israel's own position in the international system.
As global power dynamics shift, Israel finds itself at the center of a strategic triangle connecting Indian innovation, European markets, and Israeli technological excellence. This convergence represents not just an economic opportunity, but a validation of Israel's vision of partnerships based on shared values of innovation, security, and democratic resilience.
In a world of increasing volatility, the India-Europe-Israel axis offers stability, technological advancement, and strategic depth. For Israel, this represents the fulfillment of our founders' vision: a Jewish state that stands as an equal partner among nations, contributing our unique strengths to global security and prosperity.