New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Israel on a two-day state visit today. This is PM Modi's first visit to Israel as prime minister since 2017, before Netanyahu reciprocated with a visit to India the following year.

This is also PM Modi's first trip to Israel after Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire governed by the "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict," in October last year. Last week, India, together with more than 100 other nations, condemned Israel's expansion in the West Bank.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the visit amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, with the Pentagon mobilising its military assets in the region. Iran and the US are expected to hold...