INDIA - Civilization Partners with Israel

The partnership between India and Israel is fortified by shared problems, mentalities, and opportunities, and the friendship between the two nations is only set to grow in the future, a group of Indian political figures, entrepreneurs, activists, influencers, journalists, and commentators told The Jerusalem Post.

“Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, what they cemented during this visit was that we are civilizational partners,” said Vijeth Umbalagodu Thirthamallesh, an international collaborations strategist for an Indian Member of Parliament. “I really love that the prime minister [Modi] very categorically and clearly mentioned here that India stands with Israel today, tomorrow, and for a long time to come.”

One of the common topics that came up among the delegates was India’s security concerns, particularly in relation to Pakistan, which they compared to Israel’s fight against regional terror groups.

“India understands terrorism. Israel understands terrorism,” he said. “That is perhaps why Modi and Netanyahu came together and signed a lot of pacts. We now have joint defense pacts. Going forward, I feel this will only increase, only rise.”

-www.jpost.com, 27 May 2026

Commentary: India is the world’s largest democracy, and has overtaken China as the most populous country in the world.

Regarding its economy, a Google search reveals: “India has solidified its position as the fastest-growing major economy. Real GDP is projected to comfortably expand in the 7.2% to 7.3% range, powered by resilient domestic private consumption and strong infrastructure investments. The economy has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.”

There is some similarity between India and Israel. India attained their independence from Britain on 15 August 1947, ending the colonial rule of nearly two centuries. Approximately 10 months later in May of 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed at the end of the British Mandate of Palestine.

The first verse of the book of Esther mentions India: “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces).” That was during the dispersion of the Israelites.

Another indirect mention is found in 1 Kings 10:22, where it states: “For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.” Jewish historians and scholars add: “1 Kings 10:22: Mentions that Solomon’s fleet brought back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. The Hebrew words for ‘ivory’ (shenhabbim) and ‘peacock’ (tukkiyim) have Sanskrit roots, suggesting active maritime trade between Israel and the Indian coast.”

Under church growth, we read: “Christianity in India is experiencing rapid, grassroots expansion, with conservative estimates suggesting thousands of people come to faith daily. Driven heavily by localized house church movements and massive megachurches, this growth persists even amidst significant challenges” (evangelicalfocus.com).

It is noticeable that in the West, church membership is decreasing at an alarming rate, especially in Europe.

Interestingly, Scripture states: “Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory” (Ezekiel 43:1-2). Also, Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:27: “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

(See The Remarkable Story of Queen Esther, Item #1087, $2.50.)