India’s growing strategic and economic partnership with Israel could open up new opportunities for the domestic manufacturing sector, with collaboration in defence, electronics, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies emerging as potential areas of growth.
As India looks to strengthen its domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on imports, Israeli expertise in technology, innovation and research could play an important role in supporting the country’s industrial ambitions.
A fresh perception study has placed Israel firmly as the second most trusted and helpful friend of India in the eyes of young adults across the Hindi heartland second only to Russia.
The India Israel Centre’s October 2026 survey of 1,023 respondents aged 21–40 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand shows 62% rating Israel a “good friend” and 57% saying it stands by India in difficult times. Only Russia scores higher on both counts. Forty-two per cent named Israel as a country that helps India, ahead of the United States and Japan.
Defence and technology cooperation is driving the surge. Sixty-one per cent of heartland youth now believe India benefits from defence and tech ties with Israel, up sharply from 48% in May and 52% in September. Where people actually know about the partnership, trust jumps to 75% and belief in the benefits soars to 83%.
In Gorakhpur and Varanasi, where agricultural and employment links with Israel are visible on the ground, trust levels hit 91% and 88% respectively. Half of all respondents now want the relationship to grow stronger (up from 41% in May),
“These findings show a clear shift,” said India Israel Centre spokesperson Suresh Nakhua. “When people encounter the partnership in real terms through technology, security or agricultural methods their regard for Israel rises.”
The message from India’s heartland is unambiguous: Israel is no longer a distant partner. It is becoming one of India’s most valued strategic friends.
From Defence To Electronics: How Israeli Technology Could Boost India’s Manufacturing Ambitions
