24 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

International RelationsNEWS

House panel questions timing of PM's Israel visit

Parliamentary panel questions the timing of PM Modi's Israel visit.

Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, questioned the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned visit to Israel on February 25, given escalating tensions in West Asia and a U.S. military build-up. The committee met to discuss the Ministry of External Affairs’s budgetary allocations. One member specifically questioned the rationale behind the visit, considering India's advisory urging its citizens to leave Iran due to fears of a potential U.S. strike. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri assured the committee that security considerations are being taken into account. The committee also raised concerns about the absence of any budgetary allocation for the Chabahar Port in the current year's Budget.

This deliberation highlights the complexities of balancing India's foreign policy objectives with regional security concerns, particularly in the context of the volatile West Asia situation. The discussion about the Chabahar Port funding also underscores India's strategic interests in regional connectivity. This news is relevant for UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure).

Key Facts

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs questioned the timing of the PM's visit.

PM Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25.

The visit comes after the 2023 Hamas attack and Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

India has issued an advisory urging citizens to leave Iran.

The committee is chaired by Shashi Tharoor.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2 (International Relations): India's foreign policy towards West Asia, balancing relations with Israel and Iran, strategic autonomy.

GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure): Significance of Chabahar Port for India's connectivity and trade.

Prelims: Questions on the composition and functions of Parliamentary Standing Committees.

Mains: Analyze the challenges and opportunities for India in the evolving geopolitical landscape of West Asia.

In Simple Words

The Prime Minister of India is planning to visit Israel, but some politicians are wondering if it's a good time. There's a lot of tension in that part of the world right now, with potential military actions happening.

India Angle

This is like deciding whether to attend a wedding in a neighborhood known for frequent gang fights. The government has even advised Indians to leave nearby Iran, showing how serious the situation is.

For Instance

Imagine your neighbor is planning a business trip to a country known for political instability. You might question their timing, considering the risks involved and potential impact on their business.

The Prime Minister's visit can affect India's relationships with other countries in the region and the safety of Indians living there. It also impacts India's role in global politics.

Timing is everything, especially in diplomacy.

Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs questioned the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel amid escalating tensions and a U.S. military build-up in West Asia. Mr.

Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25. The committee, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, met to discuss the Ministry of External Affairs’s budgetary allocations. A member questioned the rationale behind the visit, given India's advisory urging citizens to leave Iran amid fears of a possible U.S.

strike. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said security considerations are kept in mind. Concerns were raised over the absence of any allocation for the Chabahar Port in this year’s Budget.

Expert Analysis

The questioning of Prime Minister Modi's Israel visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs brings several key foreign policy concepts into focus. The first is Strategic Autonomy, a guiding principle of Indian foreign policy since the Nehruvian era. India aims to make independent decisions based on its national interests, without being dictated by any major power. In this instance, the committee is essentially asking whether the timing of the visit compromises India's strategic autonomy, given the U.S. military build-up and potential conflict with Iran.

Another crucial concept is Balance of Power in West Asia. India has traditionally maintained good relations with both Israel and Iran, navigating the complex regional dynamics. The planned visit to Israel, amidst heightened tensions, raises questions about whether India is tilting too much towards one side, potentially jeopardizing its relationship with Iran. The absence of budgetary allocation for the Chabahar Port, a project of strategic importance for India's connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia bypassing Pakistan, further complicates this balance.

Finally, the discussion touches upon the concept of Duty of Care towards Indian citizens abroad. The Indian government has issued an advisory urging citizens to leave Iran, citing security concerns. The committee members are questioning whether the Prime Minister's visit to Israel at this juncture sends a contradictory signal, potentially undermining the government's responsibility to protect its citizens. A UPSC aspirant should understand these concepts in the context of India's foreign policy decision-making, particularly for GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and essay papers.

Visual Insights

Locations Mentioned in the News

This map highlights Israel and Iran, the key locations mentioned in the news regarding the Prime Minister's visit and related tensions.

Loading interactive map...

📍Israel📍Iran

More Information

Background

India's relationship with Israel has evolved significantly since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. Initially, relations were conducted discreetly due to India's historical support for the Palestinian cause and its large Muslim population. However, growing security concerns, particularly regarding counter-terrorism, and economic opportunities led to closer cooperation. This culminated in high-level visits, including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to India in 2003 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel in 2017 – the first by an Indian Prime Minister. India's relations with Iran are rooted in historical and cultural ties, as well as shared strategic interests. The Chabahar Port project, a joint venture between India, Iran, and Afghanistan, is a key example of this. It provides India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. However, India's growing strategic alignment with the United States and Israel has created complexities in its relationship with Iran, particularly given U.S. sanctions on Iran. The current situation necessitates a delicate balancing act to protect India's interests. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs plays a crucial role in scrutinizing the Ministry of External Affairs' policies and budgetary allocations. It provides a platform for Members of Parliament to raise concerns and seek clarifications on foreign policy matters, ensuring parliamentary oversight of the executive branch.

Latest Developments

In recent years, India has been actively pursuing its interests in West Asia through a multi-pronged approach. This includes strengthening strategic partnerships with countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while also maintaining dialogue with Iran. The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, have further reshaped the regional landscape, creating new opportunities and challenges for India. The Indian government has been emphasizing the importance of de-escalation and dialogue in resolving regional conflicts. India has also been advocating for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also impacted India's foreign policy priorities, diverting attention and resources towards managing the fallout from the war. Looking ahead, India is likely to continue its efforts to balance its relationships in West Asia, while also focusing on its economic and security interests. The development of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which includes the Chabahar Port, remains a key priority for India's regional connectivity agenda.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Parliamentary Committee questioning the timing of the PM's visit to Israel now, given that India and Israel have had diplomatic ties for a while?

The committee is questioning the timing due to escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly after the Hamas attack and Israel's bombardment of Gaza. The U.S. military build-up and India's advisory for its citizens to leave Iran due to potential U.S. strikes have heightened concerns about the PM's safety and the appropriateness of the visit.

2. How does this situation relate to India's strategic autonomy in foreign policy, and what are India's options?

This situation tests India's commitment to strategic autonomy. India needs to balance its relations with Israel with its interests in the Arab world and its concerns about regional stability. India's options include: * Postponing the visit to a more stable time. * Using the visit to advocate for de-escalation and a ceasefire. * Maintaining its current position while closely monitoring the situation.

•Postponing the visit to a more stable time.
•Using the visit to advocate for de-escalation and a ceasefire.
•Maintaining its current position while closely monitoring the situation.

3. What is the significance of February 25th in this news, and how could UPSC frame a prelims question around it?

February 25 is the expected arrival date of PM Modi in Israel. UPSC could frame a question asking about the expected date of a high-profile visit or event related to India-Israel relations. A likely distractor would be to provide incorrect dates close to February 25th.

Exam Tip

Remember the date is 'expected', not confirmed. UPSC often tests on the difference between planned vs. actual events.

4. The article mentions the Chabahar Port. How does the lack of budgetary allocation affect India's strategic goals in the region?

The absence of budgetary allocation for the Chabahar Port raises concerns about India's commitment to the project. This could impact India's ability to bypass Pakistan and access Afghanistan and Central Asia, undermining its strategic influence and trade opportunities in the region.

5. Given the current geopolitical climate, what aspects of this news are most relevant for GS Paper 2 (International Relations)?

For GS Paper 2, focus on: * India's balancing act in West Asia. * The role of parliamentary oversight in foreign policy. * The impact of regional conflicts on India's interests. * The strategic importance of Chabahar Port.

•India's balancing act in West Asia.
•The role of parliamentary oversight in foreign policy.
•The impact of regional conflicts on India's interests.
•The strategic importance of Chabahar Port.

Exam Tip

When a question asks about 'India's role,' always consider both opportunities AND challenges.

6. How does this situation demonstrate the challenges of 'Strategic Autonomy' for India in practice?

The situation highlights that strategic autonomy isn't about complete independence, but about making choices that best serve India's interests in a complex world. India's historical support for Palestine clashes with its growing ties with Israel. Balancing these competing interests, while also considering the safety of Indian citizens and regional stability, exemplifies the practical challenges of strategic autonomy.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Chabahar Port: 1. It is a trilateral agreement between India, Iran, and Pakistan. 2. It provides India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. 3. India has made budgetary allocations for the Chabahar Port in the current year's budget. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.2 and 3 only

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is INCORRECT: The Chabahar Port is a trilateral agreement between India, Iran, and Afghanistan, not Pakistan. Statement 2 is CORRECT: It provides India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs raised concerns about the absence of any budgetary allocation for the Chabahar Port in the current year's Budget.

2. In the context of India's foreign policy, what does the term 'Strategic Autonomy' primarily refer to?

A.Aligning with a single major power for security guarantees.
B.Making independent decisions based on national interests, without being dictated by any major power.
C.Prioritizing economic relations over political considerations.
D.Following the foreign policy directives of the United Nations.

Show Answer

Answer: B

Strategic Autonomy is a guiding principle of Indian foreign policy, emphasizing independent decision-making based on national interests, without being dictated by any major power. This allows India to pursue its own agenda and maintain relationships with multiple countries, even if they have conflicting interests.

3. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs?

A.It scrutinizes the policies and budgetary allocations of the Ministry of External Affairs.
B.It provides a platform for Members of Parliament to raise concerns on foreign policy matters.
C.It is chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
D.It ensures parliamentary oversight of the executive branch in foreign policy matters.

Show Answer

Answer: C

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is NOT chaired by the Prime Minister of India. According to the news, it is chaired by Shashi Tharoor. The committee plays a crucial role in scrutinizing the Ministry of External Affairs' policies and budgetary allocations, providing a platform for Members of Parliament to raise concerns and ensuring parliamentary oversight.