Paromita Das
New Delhi, 13th December: In geopolitics, symbolism is often louder than strategy. And sometimes, a single visit, a two-minute statement, or an unexpected diplomatic gesture can reveal the tectonic shifts underway in the global order. The sudden arrival of Israel’s Foreign Minister Gidon Saar in New Delhi—on the very day seven powerful Muslim nations gathered in Turkey to challenge Israel—was more than a diplomatic coincidence. It was a message written in unmistakably bold letters: Bharat has emerged as Israel’s most dependable global partner at a time when much of the world seems determined to isolate it.
This was Saar’s first official visit to Bharat, but his words carried the weight of a long and trusted friendship. Before any policy discussion, before any negotiation, he stood beside External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and issued a declaration capable of reshaping international perceptions: “Bharat is the future… Bharat is a global superpower.”
That statement alone reveals why Saar’s visit matters—because at a time when geopolitical blocs are hardening and diplomatic polarization is deepening, Israel is openly choosing Bharat as the anchor it wants to tie itself to.
A Diplomatic Day Loaded With Significance
To understand the depth of this moment, one must look at what was happening simultaneously. In Turkey, foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey convened behind closed doors. The goal was clear: form a collective stance before any Gaza peace arrangement and exert pressure on Israel.
It was a symbolic show of Islamic unity—seven countries combining political muscle to corner Israel.
But Israel’s counter-symbolism was even louder. Instead of engaging in defensive diplomacy, its Foreign Minister walked into Bharat’s capital and delivered a speech overflowing with respect, gratitude, and strategic confidence. He reminded the world that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first global leader to call Benjamin Netanyahu after the October 7 massacre. “We won’t forget it,” Saar said, emphasizing that solidarity shown in moments of crisis builds friendships that last decades.
While seven nations assembled in Ankara, Israel’s Foreign Minister sat comfortably in New Delhi—a geopolitical picture that says more than any press release ever could.
Bharat’s Rising Power: From Regional Influence to Global Superpower Status
When Saar called Bharat a global superpower, it wasn’t a diplomatic compliment. It was an acknowledgment that Bharat today occupies a position few countries can afford to ignore:
- It is the world’s fastest-growing large economy.
- It is the largest democracy with unprecedented demographic potential.
- Its military, diplomatic reach, and technological growth are expanding at historic speed.
- And its geopolitical neutrality allows it to engage with both the West and the Global South while maintaining strategic autonomy.
Israel understands this, which is why its top leadership is not merely visiting Bharat—they are arriving in a coordinated diplomatic wave.
After Gidon Saar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit in December.
In February, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant will arrive.
And soon after, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog is expected to land in New Delhi.
This is not routine diplomacy. It is a strategic alignment—one that signals Israel’s willingness to deepen long-term cooperation in defence, intelligence, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and critical regional connectivity initiatives.
Why Israel Needs Bharat Now More Than Ever
Saar’s speech in New Delhi was unusually blunt. He spoke about the rise of what he called “terror states”—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. For Israel, these entities represent a new kind of threat: radical, ideologically driven, militarized, and supported by powerful state sponsors.
Bharat, too, faces the impact of extremist networks and cross-border terrorism. This shared threat perception is what Saar highlighted when he condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, linking Israel’s security concerns with Bharat’s.
When he declared that Bharat is enough to stand with Israel even when seven nations gather against it, he wasn’t exaggerating. Israel understands that in a polarized global environment, Bharat is perhaps the only non-Western power capable of balancing diplomacy with military credibility.
Regional Connectivity: A New Geopolitical Highway
Saar didn’t limit his message to counter-terrorism. He emphasized Israel’s support for:
- I2U2 (India–Israel–UAE–USA)
- IMEC (India–Middle East–Europe Corridor)
These projects aim to build new trade routes linking South Asia, West Asia, and Europe. If executed successfully, they could reduce China’s leverage in the region and elevate Bharat as the central node of global commerce.
Israel clearly wants Bharat at the heart of these new connectivity corridors, not just as a partner but as a driving force.
Bharat’s Moment on the World Stage
For decades, Bharat’s foreign policy was defined by caution. Today, it is marked by confidence. It no longer responds to global crises; it shapes them. And Saar’s visit reflects a quiet but unmistakable truth: Bharat is no longer a balancing power—it is a determining power.
Israel recognizes this shift faster than most nations. While many countries look at Bharat as a market, Israel sees Bharat as a strategic pillar—one that can influence the future of West Asian stability, Indo-Pacific security architecture, and global technological alliances.
The contrast is telling:
Seven nations meet in Turkey to challenge Israel.
Israel chooses to stand in New Delhi instead.
That symbolism is not accidental. It is geopolitical clarity.
A Partnership That Will Shape the Coming Decades
Gidon Saar’s fiery statement in New Delhi marks the beginning of a new chapter in Bharat–Israel relations. It reflects trust built not only through defence deals or intelligence cooperation but through shared security concerns and mutual respect.
Israel is preparing for the toughest regional environment in decades—and it is openly identifying Bharat as its most reliable partner.
As more Israeli leaders arrive in the coming months, the world will witness how this partnership evolves—from defence cooperation to strategic connectivity, from counter-terrorism to technological co-innovation.
If Saar’s words are any indication, the message is clear:
The future belongs to nations that stand together—and Israel believes Bharat is leading that future.
