PM Modi Honoured with Israeli Parliament Prestigious Knesset Speaker Medal

PM Modi Honoured with Israeli Parliament Prestigious Knesset Speaker Medal

Why in News? 

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the prestigious Speaker of the Knesset Medal by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem, recognising his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic ties between India and Israel. 

What is the Knesset Speaker Medal?

• About: The Knesset Speaker Medal (Medal of the Knesset) is a new state honour of Israel established in 2026, awarded by the Speaker of the Knesset. It is considered the highest parliamentary distinction of the Knesset.

• Nature: This medal is a parliamentary decoration initiated by the Knesset Speaker. It is not explicitly rooted in longstanding statutory tradition. 

• Design: The medal is made of gold-plated bronze, depicting the emblem of Israel, the Knesset building, and the Knesset Plenum.

• It carries the inscription “Hast crowned him with glory and honor” from Psalms 8:6 and is suspended from silver and blue ribbons with a Star of David, symbolising honour, statehood and Jewish identity.

• • • The reverse side depicts an image of United Jerusalem.
  • Criteria: It is awarded to those individuals who have made “significant contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
    • It is awarded for exceptional leadership and contributions that significantly strengthen diplomatic, strategic, economic or cultural ties with Israel. 

• First Recipient: On 25 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first ever recipient of this medal, awarded by Speaker Amir Ohana during Modi’s address to the Knesset.

India–Israel Bilateral Relations

• Diplomatic Ties: India formally recognised Israel on 17 September 1950 but maintained limited contact for decades due to its commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and pro-Arab stance. Full diplomatic ties were finally established on 29 January 1992 under PM P.V. Narasimha Rao, following the end of the Cold War and the launch of the Middle East peace process. 
• Defense Partnership: India is one of the largest importers of Israeli military equipment, which accounts for roughly 40% of Israel’s annual arms exports. Key Inductions include Phalcon AWACS, Heron drones, and the co-developed Barak-8 missile system. In 2026, both nations discussed advanced collaboration in laser-based systems, anti-ballistic missiles, and Al-driven combat platforms.
• Agriculture: Agricultural cooperation was institutionalised in 2006 through the Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project (IIAP).
  • In May 2021, India and Israel signed a three-year work program (2021-2023) to enhance agricultural cooperation, focusing on developing Centres of Excellence (CoE), boosting value chains and encouraging private sector collaboration.
  • The sixth India-Israel Agricultural Work Plan (2024–2026) is currently operational, with 43 Centres of Excellence approved across India for high-tech farming. Cooperation has expanded to “water agriculture” via a January 2026 Joint Declaration on Fisheries and Aquaculture, focusing on Blue Food Security and sustainable marine practices. 
• Technology: The India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund (I4F), renewed for 2023–2027, supports joint ventures in AI, Quantum computing, and renewable energy. 
  • Both nations hold regular Cyber Policy Dialogues to strengthen critical infrastructure protection. 
  • The two nations also engage in joint R&D, technology transfer, and training programmes.
  • In February 2026, PM Modi invited Israeli tech firms to further invest in India’s growing innovation ecosystem. 
• Economic Ties: Bilateral merchandise trade (excluding defense) peaked at $10.77 billion in FY 2022-23, though it saw a decline in 2025 due to regional tensions. Trade in diamonds constitutes about 50% of bilateral trade. 
  • A landmark Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) was signed in September 2025 to boost FDI and protect investors. 
  • Significant “Make in India” linkages include the Adani-led acquisition of Haifa Port for $1.18 billion and joint manufacturing of drones and missile sub-systems by firms like IAI, Rafael, and Tata. 
• Regional Cooperation: India and Israel are key members of the I2U2 grouping (India, Israel, UAE, USA), which focuses on joint investments in food security and clean energy. 
  • They also collaborate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), aiming to integrate regional trade and connectivity. 

Significance of this Honour for India

• Elevation to Special Relations: The award signifies the elevation of bilateral ties to “special strategic relations,” a rare diplomatic designation Israel previously reserved only for the United States and Germany. This shift moves the partnership beyond traditional procurement toward a “force multiplier” alliance characterized by high-level political trust. 
• De-hyphenated Diplomacy: This honour makes PM Modi a rare global leader to receive the highest state awards from both Israel (2026) and Palestine (2018). It validates India’s independent and principled West Asian diplomacy, proving that New Delhi can maintain robust, separate strategic tracks with both nations based on its own national interests. 
• Autonomy in Defence: This recognises a shift from a buyer-seller relationship to one of co-development and co-production. It underscores Israel’s willingness to share critical technologies—such as advanced air defence and laser-based systems—that are often unavailable from other nations. 
• Global Leadership: As the inaugural recipient of the Knesset’s highest distinction, the award reinforces India’s ascending global influence. It highlights India not just as a regional power, but as a trusted partner for innovation and security in a volatile geopolitical landscape. 
• Economic Integration: The honour serves as a diplomatic catalyst for pending economic milestones, particularly the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It signals a strong political will to unlock the “vast untapped potential” in bilateral trade.