On September 12, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm wishes to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the people of Israel, and Jewish communities worldwide for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Sharing the greeting on X, PM Modi wrote, “Shana Tova! Wishing a very happy Rosh Hashanah to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the people of Israel and Jewish communities across the globe. May the new year be filled with peace, hope, good health and continued progress for all,” accompanied by a message in Hebrew, as reported by News18.
Modi Extends Rosh Hashanah Greetings to Netanyahu
This diplomatic outreach occurred just hours after a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi, highlighting India’s diplomatic efforts in West Asia.
The 18th BRICS Summit and Iran Ties
The timing of the greeting underscored New Delhi’s foreign policy. Just a day prior to the Rosh Hashanah message, PM Modi was captured holding hands with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as the Iranian leader arrived in India for the 18th BRICS Summit, according to News18. The high-profile optics played out against a volatile geopolitical backdrop.
Since February of that year, the United States-Israel alliance and Iran have remained locked in intense conflict, with formal peace negotiations deadlocked and regional maritime security heavily disrupted.
Energy Market Disruptions and Maritime Security
The ongoing hostilities in West Asia have triggered severe disruptions to global energy markets. Tehran notably blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for prior strikes by the US and Israel, pinching international shipping lanes and threatening energy supplies.
During his bilateral discussions with President Pezeshkian, PM Modi directly addressed these economic vulnerabilities, emphasizing the urgent need to protect commercial navigation and secure the safety of Indian seafarers traversing the strategic waterway.
Condemning Attacks Across the Gulf
While India maintains robust, friendly ties with both Israel and Iran, New Delhi has not shied away from calling out aggressive actions in the Gulf. Alongside its push for dialogue and long-term strategic cooperation, India has explicitly condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Jordan, as detailed by News18.
Commitment to Enduring Regional Peace
PM Modi noted of his discussions with the Iranian leadership, “We talked about the India-Iran friendship. We believe that we should move forward with a long-term and win-win strategy. The prevailing situation in the region was also discussed. India remains steadfast in its commitment to the pursuit of enduring peace.”
