The comments follow Washington’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods and Delhi’s strong diplomatic pushback. Netanyahu’s timing—and message—could carry deeper strategic undertones. (Image Credits: X)
As tensions between India and the United States escalated following Washington’s decision to double tariffs on Indian imports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that it would be in the interest of both nations to resolve the issue. Netanyahu also mentioned the strength of bilateral ties and the possibility of increased strategic collaboration while expressing a desire to visit India soon in an interview with visiting Indian journalists.
Netanyahu’s statement came a day after his meeting with the Indian Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh. The two officials met at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation, particularly in the domains of economic exchange and national security. A post from the Israeli PMO confirmed that both leaders emphasized the importance of counter-terrorism collaboration and intelligence-sharing between the two countries.
Netanyahu’s remarks were notably timed, coming just hours after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, on top of a previous 25 percent levy announced on July 30. The move effectively raises the total tariff burden on affected Indian imports to 50 percent. Citing India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil as justification, the order—titled “Addressing Threats to the US by the Government of the Russian Federation”—seeks to pressure India to align more closely with Washington’s foreign policy objectives.
According to the White House, the first phase of tariffs will take effect on August 7, followed by the second 25 percent levy on August 27.
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India responded sharply to the tariff escalation, calling the US action “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” New Delhi reiterated in an official statement that it imports oil based on market conditions in order to provide its 1.4 billion residents with reasonably priced energy. India also pointed out that several other countries are engaging in similar transactions with Russia, making the targeting of India particularly “unfortunate.”
The statement added that India will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interest, a signal that retaliatory measures or diplomatic escalations are not off the table.
India imports nearly 88 percent of its crude oil needs from abroad. Until 2021, Russian oil contributed just 0.2 percent of total crude imports. However, that number has grown significantly since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, as Moscow offered deep discounts to buyers outside the Western alliance. India has made it clear time and time again that these imports are legal, open, and completely compliant with international standards.
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Given Israel’s close ties with both Washington and New Delhi, Netanyahu’s call for de-escalation and his announcement of a likely visit to India carry strategic significance. Despite the shortness of his statement, the timing and context imply that Israel might be subtly promoting a diplomatic course of action. It remains to be seen if this influences future foreign visits or gives backchannel discussions more impetus.
