• Modi expresses condolences for victims of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
• Says India supports efforts towards durable peace and regional stability.
• Netanyahu praises India’s support, calls it defensive wall against barbarism.

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told lawmakers in Jerusalem on Wednesday that India stands “firmly” with Israel following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.

Modi also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a two-day visit aimed at deepening trade and defence ties that has drawn criticism at home.

“I… carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7,” Modi said in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

“We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.”

In his speech, Modi did not explicitly mention the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza during the more than two-year war between Israel and Hamas.

But he said that India “supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability”.

Modi also told Israeli lawmakers that his country’s economic growth and Israel’s leadership in technological innovation formed a “natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership”.

“I see a lot of synergies in areas such as quantum technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence,” he added.

Netanyahu told Modi that “India supports Israel because it understands that Israel serves as a defensive wall against barbarism”, adding that his visit will allow them to “further reinforce our ties”.

It is Modi’s second visit to Israel as prime minister since he took office in 2014.

‘A real friendship’

Earlier on Wednesday, a red carpet was rolled out at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport and Modi was greeted with a hug by Netanyahu as he disembarked the plane.

“The two leaders share a special and a personal relationship,” Shosh Bedrosian, spokeswoman for Netanyahu’s office, said in a video posted on X.

“The bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance as we are partners in innovation, security and a shared strategic vision,” she added.

Netanyahu’s office said the two right-wing leaders held a private meeting after the welcoming ceremony, with the Israeli premier hailing “a real friendship”.

In a post on X, Modi described the meeting as “excellent”.

“We discussed a wide range of topics aimed at deepening and strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries,” he said.

The pair “held an in-depth conversation about major developments in the region”, he added.

Modi is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog during the visit.

New Delhi has steadily expanded cooperation with Israel across the defence, agriculture, technology and cybersecurity sectors, while balancing diplomatic interests in the Middle East.

Talks opened in New Delhi on Monday for an India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), India’s government said in a statement, noting that merchandise trade reached $3.62 billion in 2024-2025.

Full diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. Ties deepened after Hindu-nationalist leader Modi took office in 2014.

Criticism at home

Modi first visited Israel as prime minister in 2017, before Netanyahu made a reciprocal visit to India the following year.

In 2023, grand plans were unveiled in New Delhi for an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor — to link railways, ports, electricity, data networks and pipelines, including through Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Those plans were stalled by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which responded with a devastating war in the Gaza Strip.

Months after his 2017 visit to Israel, Modi travelled to Ramallah, seat of the Palestinian Authority.

His current visit has sparked criticism at home.

Senior Congress party figure Priyanka Gandhi — sister of opposition leader Rahul — posted on social media on Wednesday that she hoped Modi would mention the killing of “thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza” during his address to the Israeli parliament.

India, the world’s most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, is majority Hindu, but an estimated 220 million Indians are Muslim.

One of India’s largest conglomerates, Adani Group, operates the Israeli port of Haifa, while Israeli military drone technology played a pivotal role during India’s May 2025 clash with Pakistan.

DUBAI: The United States has imposed fresh sanctions targeting companies and individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkiye accused of helping Iran procure weapons components and move oil through so-called “shadow fleet” vessels.

In a statement, the US State Department said the measures focus on networks operating from Iran, Turkiye and the UAE that allegedly support Tehran’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons programmes. The US also blacklisted several vessels said to have transported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals.

US authorities allege entities were part of efforts to facilitate Iranian oil shipments or procurement activity. There was no immediate public response from the companies. Several Turkish companies were also added to the sanctions list.

The US Treasury said these firms were linked to procurement networks tied to Iranian aviation and defence-related entities.

In addition to companies, multiple shipping firms registered in jurisdictions were sanctioned, along with a number of oil and LPG tankers accused of being part of Iran’s “shadow fleet”.

The United States said the action was taken under executive orders targeting weapons proliferation and key sectors of Iran’s economy. The move is part of broader efforts to restrict revenue streams that the US says fund Iran’s missile development and regional proxy activities.

The sanctions could increase compliance pressure on businesses in the UAE and Turkiye, both of which serve as major regional trade and logistics hubs with extensive links to global energy markets.

• Starmer vows to ensure communities live without fear.
• Says: “I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities.”
• Police say incident not being treated as terror-related.

LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed concern after the arrest of a man for entering a mosque in Manchester during Ramadan prayers carrying multiple weapons, including an axe and threatening to kill the Imam.

The prime minister said he understood the incident would be worrying for Muslim communities.

The suspect, a white man in his 40s, was with another man, a black male, who entered Manchester Central Mosque in the Victoria Park area of south Manchester at around 8:40pm on Tuesday.

The first suspect was subsequently arrested by police on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said they are not treating the incident as terror-related.

Keir said: “I am concerned to hear of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque last night. I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection.”

“My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services for their quick response,” he added.  

“We have provided up to £40 million funding for additional security at mosques, Muslim schools and community centres, and will continue to act to ensure communities are able to live without fear.”

In a statement, the mosque said a “serious security incident” had occurred during prayers.

The statement added: “A white male entered the mosque wearing a hi-vis jacket carrying a large bag. He was accompanied by a black male, both entering the mosque at the same time. The mosque volunteers spotted the suspicious bag containing an axe, which was placed into the main hall of the mosque by the assailant.”

“The white male was escorted to a separate room by volunteers and was found to have been carrying multiple weapons, including a hammer and a knife. He was eventually arrested by the police,” it added. 

“The black male left the mosque shortly before police arrived, after it became apparent that the situation had been contained. To our knowledge, he has not yet been arrested by Greater Manchester Police,” read the statement. 

“All relevant information and CCTV footage have been passed on to the police, who are continuing their investigation.”

The statement further said: “The Muslim community in the UK has experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years. The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk.”

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the police and urge all mosque attendees to remain vigilant. Congregants are advised to travel in groups where possible and to ensure that children are not left unattended.”

“The swift and responsible actions of our volunteers played a crucial role in containing the situation. Without their intervention, the consequences could have been far more serious,” it added. 

Superintendent Simon Nasim of GMP said: “Yesterday evening, officers attended a local mosque after it was reported that two men were acting suspiciously and carrying an offensive weapon while people were worshipping during the holy month of Ramadan.

“We have swiftly arrested one individual and officers are working to locate the second man. No threats were made and thankfully, no one was injured. You may notice an increased presence of patrols in the area while our inquiries continue. Please feel free to chat with our officers and let them know your concerns,” said the superintendent.

The official said: “There’s no place for weapons on our streets and we are committed to ensure all our communities feel safe to worship in peace and go about their daily lives without fear.”

“Anyone committing such offences will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the superintendent added. 

Afzal Khan, the local MP for Rusholme, said: “I am deeply concerned about the incident that occurred at Manchester Central Mosque last night, whereby two individuals entered the mosque with weapons.

“Thankfully, everyone is safe, no one is hurt, and Greater Manchester Police have arrested one of the suspects. I’m in touch with the mosque leadership, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and the prime minister about this incident,” Afzal added. 

“Just this week, the Chancellor and Home Secretary announced more funding for protecting mosques, and this incident demonstrates once again why this funding is so vital,” he added. 

The lawmaker said: “This is the consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims. This is Islamophobia, plain and simple.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses to help with inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP on 101 or through the LiveChat function on the force’s website. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.