India-Israel Counter-Terrorism Partnership Reinforces Strategic Alignment After 2025 Attacks
India and Israel convened their 10th bilateral counter-terrorism working group in February 2026, jointly condemning recent terror attacks and reaffirming zero tolerance towards all forms of terrorism, signalling deepened security coordination.
The 10th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism took place in New Delhi on 24 February 2026, led by Dr. Vinod Bahade (Joint Secretary, Counter Terrorism, MEA) and Mr. Nadav Eschar (Head of Bureau, Strategic Affairs Division, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The gathering underscored bilateral commitment to countering terrorism as a cornerstone of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. Both delegations explicitly condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed an absolute zero-tolerance position. The meeting carried particular weight given two recent high-profile attacks: the October 7, 2023 terror attack in Israel and the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India. These incidents have intensified urgency around holding perpetrators accountable and intensifying cooperative mechanisms.
This counter-terrorism coordination reflects the broader trajectory of India-Israel relations outlined in India's historical shift toward strategic partnership with Israel. The meeting also contextualizes recent high-level diplomatic momentum: PM Modi's recent Israel state visit and the subsequent elevation of the bilateral relationship to 'Special' status have positioned counter-terrorism as a key operational pillar. Beyond the bilateral track, India-Israel security collaboration intersects with broader defence innovation frameworks, including joint defence technology initiatives·soon and proven cooperation on advanced military systems. The February 2026 meeting signals that counter-terrorism sits at the apex of this multi-layered partnership.
Analysts should monitor whether this JWG delivers concrete operational outputs beyond diplomatic statements—including information-sharing protocols, joint training exercises, or coordinated intelligence mechanisms targeting cross-border terror networks. The April 2025 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir and the joint statement's emphasis on cross-border terrorism suggest India may be pushing for deeper Israeli intelligence and technical support on counter-insurgency operations in conflict-affected regions. Watch for whether future meetings produce formal bilateral counter-terrorism agreements or expanded defence cooperation frameworks. The coordination intensity also signals positioning ahead of potential new terror threats; the statement's emphasis on accountability suggests both countries may be preparing joint or coordinated responses to specific terror designations or operations in coming months.