Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the suggestion that the United States is the only powerful ally Israel has left, pointing to India and its population of around 1.4 billion people as an example of Israel's strong international relationships.
Netanyahu made the comments while responding to remarks by United States Vice President JD Vance about Israel's position in the world. Vance had earlier suggested that the United States was Israel's last truly powerful friend. Netanyahu disagreed with that view and said Israel has many friends across the world.
Speaking about India, Netanyahu jokingly described it as a small country with around 1.4 billion people. His comment was meant to highlight the size and global importance of India and the close relationship that has developed between the two countries.
Netanyahu said Israel's friendship with India is one example of the partnerships it has built beyond the United States. He also said many world leaders continue to contact Israel and show interest in cooperation in areas such as defence technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The comments come at a time when differences between the governments of Israel and the United States have become increasingly visible. The two countries remain close strategic partners, but disagreements over Iran and wider regional policies have created political tensions.
Vance has been critical of Israeli voices that strongly opposed the Trump administration's approach towards Iran. He has defended President Donald Trump's policies and argued that Israel should recognise the importance of American support.
Netanyahu, however, made it clear that disagreement on some issues does not mean there is a personal conflict between him and Vance. He said he has a good relationship with the American vice president but added that friends do not have to agree on everything.
His reference to India has attracted attention because relations between India and Israel have expanded significantly over the years. The two countries cooperate in defence, agriculture, technology, innovation and security. Political contacts between their leaders have also become more visible.
However, Netanyahu's comments have also caused political debate in India. The opposition Indian National Congress has questioned the suggestion that the Indian people as a whole support Israel's policies.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the Indian government's position and argued that many Indians are deeply concerned about Israel's military actions in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East. The opposition has repeatedly called for India to maintain its traditional support for the rights of the Palestinian people.
India's position on the Middle East has long involved maintaining relations with both Israel and Palestine. While cooperation with Israel has grown, India has also continued to officially support a negotiated two state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
The latest exchange is taking place against the background of major changes in the Middle East. Iran remains one of the biggest areas of disagreement and concern for Israel. Netanyahu has long argued that Iran poses a serious security threat to his country.
The Trump administration's approach towards Tehran has led to debate in Israel and the United States. Some Israeli leaders and commentators have questioned whether diplomatic agreements can provide enough security guarantees. American officials, meanwhile, have defended efforts aimed at preventing a wider regional conflict.
Netanyahu's response to Vance appears to carry a wider message. Israel remains highly dependent on its relationship with Washington, particularly in military and diplomatic matters, but the Israeli leader wants to show that his country is not internationally isolated.
By mentioning India, Netanyahu highlighted one of Israel's most important relationships in Asia. India is the world's most populous country and an increasingly influential economic and political power. Its relationship with Israel therefore carries significant strategic importance.
At the same time, the political reaction in India shows that relations between governments and public opinion are not always the same. While New Delhi and Jerusalem maintain strong cooperation, opinions about Israel's military actions remain divided among Indian political parties and the wider public.
The debate also reflects the changing nature of international alliances. Countries increasingly maintain partnerships based on defence, trade, technology and security interests while continuing to disagree on other political issues.
For Netanyahu, the message is that Israel still has influential friends beyond Washington. For Vance and the Trump administration, the discussion highlights the continuing importance of American support for Israel and the disagreements that can emerge even between close allies.
As tensions continue across the Middle East, the relationship between Israel, the United States and major partners such as India is likely to remain closely watched. Netanyahu's remarks have turned a disagreement over Israel's diplomatic position into a wider discussion about alliances, foreign policy and the changing balance of power in the region.