This Week in Explainers: How India-Israel ties enter a new phase after PM Modi’s visit

In an age of a changing world order, India is working to forge stronger relations with allies and mend frayed ones. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel, and now Canadian PM Mark Carney is in India.

During PM Modi’s two-day visit to Israel (February 25 and February 26), he was given a red carpet welcome by his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his wife, Sara Netanyahu. Modi addressed the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, the first Indian PM to do so, and he was also awarded the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’ for his significant contributions to Israel and the Jews.

Modi and Bibi held bilateral talks to boost ties. Both nations committed to a free trade deal, expanded worker mobility, UPI integration, and deeper cybersecurity cooperation. We tracked this visit closely.

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WATCH: Red carpet reception for PM Modi as Netanyahu, wife receive him at Tel Aviv airport PM Modi concludes landmark Israel visit as ties upgraded to special strategic partnership

Canada PM Mark Carney is on a four-day visit to India beginning Friday (February 27). His first stop is Mumbai, where he will hold separate business engagements with top Indian and Canadian corporate leaders and financial experts. He is expected to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday (March 1) and hold formal talks with PM Modi the next day. After ups and downs over the last two and a half years, India and Canada look to reset ties.

In New Delhi, the decolonisation driver continues. A statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens is replaced by one of C  Rajagopalachari, the first Indian occupant of Rashtrapati Bhavan; he was the Indian governor general from June 1948 to January 1950.

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In a shocker from Haryana, a Chandigarh branch of the IDFC FIRST Bank finds itself embroiled in a Rs 590-crore fraud. It was allegedly committed by bank employees and external parties in accounts held by the Haryana government. Four people have been arrested in the case: two former IDFC FIRST employees and their family members.

We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup.

1. PM Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Israel has only brought the two nations closer. The bonhomie with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was on display – they hugged, carpooled, and Bibi even donned the “Modi jacket”. But beyond this warm friendship, there was more. India and Israel have elevated bilateral ties to a “special strategic partnership”, with agreements on defence, technology, AI and trade. A free trade deal is in the works, and a pact has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel. We analyse.

Here are highlights from a special visit to Israel, marked by productive conversations and strengthened cooperation.

May our partnership continue to grow in the times to come! pic.twitter.com/i0eHI9usel

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2026

2. Until last year, India and Canada’s ties were rocky. However, Mark Carney, who is visiting India, looks to change that. After business engagements in Mumbai, the Canadian PM heads to New Delhi, where talks will be held with PM Modi. Here’s what to expect.

3. Indians in Ireland were at the receiving end of racist attacks. It all started with an article in an Irish publication that reported a university turning away students from its food bank due to overwhelming demand.

The report, which highlighted the cost-of-living crisis, was accompanied by a photograph of students lining up outside the University of Galway’s pantry. It showed students from different social backgrounds, but social media stories told only half-truths, highlighting those of South Asian heritage. That’s how the backlash began, with some demanding that Indians be “deported”.

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸

Students access the service via a lottery system as demand outstrips supply

This is an example of what’s going on throughout the… pic.twitter.com/ScYId3WEdX

— Frank Conway (@FrankConway2025) February 21, 2026

4. Back in India, the Modi government has been focused on decolonisation. Central Delhi has been synonymous with Lutenys. British architect Edwin Lutyens was known for designing the layout of the Capital, including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate and the North and South Blocks. Now, his statue has been removed from the president’s residence and replaced with that of C Rajagopalachari, the Indian governor general from June 1948 to January 1950.

5. Talking about changes, the Union Cabinet has given a nod to Kerala to change its name to Keralam. The approval comes ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. Amid this, West Bengal continues to wait; its latest proposal to rename the state Bangla has been pending despite several resolutions. But what does it take to change the name of a state? This story explains.

6. A Rs 590-crore fraud at the IDFC FIRST Bank’s Chandigarh branch sent shockwaves across India. It came to light after entries linked to the Haryana government reported mismatches between actual bank balances and the amounts reflected in records. According to the bank, the staff at its Chandigarh branch executed unauthorised transactions in the accounts linked to the state. Those involved were a former bank manager, a former relationship manager, and their kin. Here is all you need to know about the scam.

7. Our next story is about school textbooks. Who would have thought they would earn the ire of the Supreme Court and the prime minister? On Thursday (February 26), the SC imposed a complete ban on the publication, printing or digital dissemination of an NCERT Class 8 book, which included a section on “corruption in the judiciary”. PM Narendra Modi also reportedly took a strong exception to it. We look at the row and the past controversies involving NCERT books.

8. The K-wave started in India during the pandemic and has refused to recede since. It has made South Korean food, culture and places aspirational. That’s how Jeju Island, which is the backdrop of hit shows like When Life Gives You Tangarines, has gained popularity. The Indian embassy in Seoul has recently issued a travel advisory for this tourist paradise. It comes after influencer Sachin Awasthi and wife were denied entry to the island. Here’s what happened.

These are the must-read stories about India. You can find more such explainers here.