United by Resolve: How Netanyahu and Modi Mirror Each Other in the Global War on Terror
Poonam Sharma
In an increasingly unstable geopolitical climate, two leaders have emerged as symbols of unwavering resolve against terrorism—Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and India’s Narendra Modi. While separated by geography, both nations are united in their existential fight against terrorism, and both leaders have adopted remarkably similar strategies to counter persistent threats.
From Gaza to Kashmir, the terrain may differ, but the doctrines are strikingly alike—decisive retaliation, fortified national defense, and a zero-tolerance approach toward terror networks.
Surrounded by Hostility: The Strategic Parallels
Israel and India share one of the most daunting national security challenges in the world. Both are democracies surrounded by hostile neighbors. For Israel, the threats come from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and an increasingly aggressive Iran. For India, the primary antagonists include Pakistan-sponsored terror groups, expansionist ambitions from China, and growing radical networks across Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
In such a landscape, conventional diplomacy alone is insufficient. Both Netanyahu and Modi understand this reality deeply. Their response has been a shift from reactive security to proactive, pre-emptive counter-terrorism strategies.
Military Modernization and Tech-Driven Warfare
Under Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel has invested heavily in advanced military systems. The Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow Missile Defense Systems offer near-total protection from short- and long-range projectiles. These aren’t just defensive shields—they’re statements of technological superiority.
India, under Modi, has followed suit. Post the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, the Indian armed forces were given a free hand to neutralize threats. Procurement of Rafale fighter jets, S-400 missile defense systems, indigenous drones, and a push for self-reliance through ‘Make in India’ defense manufacturing reflect a similar thrust toward strategic autonomy.
The philosophy is clear: The best way to deter terrorism is to make the cost of aggression unbearably high.
Terror Has No Religion: A Moral Assertion
Both leaders have made it a point to delink terrorism from religion. Netanyahu has consistently asserted that Hamas and Hezbollah do not represent Islam, but are terrorist organizations exploiting faith for political gain. Modi, too, has emphasized that “terrorism is the enemy of humanity, not of any religion.” This moral framing helps both countries win global support, while countering narratives that often shield terror groups behind communal identities.
Internal Security: From Red Corridors to Urban Jihadi Cells
India’s internal war on terror has undergone a transformation under Modi. Operation Sindoor, the multi-agency crackdown on Naxalites and Maoists, mirrors Israel’s targeted assassinations and anti-Hamas operations. Both governments use intelligence-based action, tech surveillance, and human networks to neutralize threats before they escalate.
The recent dismantling of urban jihadi cells in India, backed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), is similar in form to Israel’s Shin Bet operations that often preempt terror plots before they manifest.
As Modi recently declared, “Operation Sindoor is not over,” the message echoes Netanyahu’s stance: “There will be no ceasefire until Hamas is completely eliminated.”
Doctrine of Deterrence: No Negotiations with Terror
The Modi-Netanyahu doctrine is rooted in deterrence, not appeasement. India has, for long, suffered from a defensive posture—waiting to be attacked before responding. That changed in recent years. The doctrine now is: “Hit first if the threat is imminent.”
Netanyahu, long a student of strategic warfare, has operated similarly. Israel has conducted over 100 covert strikes in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza over the last five years. These are not retaliatory—they are preventive, based on credible intelligence.
This shift in doctrine has earned both leaders domestic support and international scrutiny. But in a world where terror strikes are becoming more asymmetric and unpredictable, this shift is not only necessary—it’s inevitable.
Political Will and Popular Mandates
Both Netanyahu and Modi enjoy broad support among their respective citizenry when it comes to national security. This isn’t accidental. Both leaders have created a national narrative centered around dignity, sovereignty, and zero compromise. Their messages are bold, their delivery unapologetic.
Whether it’s Netanyahu walking the ruins of a rocket-hit city in southern Israel or Modi addressing soldiers on forward posts in Ladakh, their visibility in moments of crisis amplifies their leadership credibility.
Diplomatic Isolation of Terror Sponsors
Another hallmark of both leaders is the effort to isolate state sponsors of terrorism on global platforms. Israel has succeeded in getting several countries to list Hamas as a terrorist organization. India has similarly led efforts at the UN Security Council to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists, despite repeated Chinese vetoes.
The use of “terror diplomacy”—engaging allies like the U.S., France, Japan, and Australia to support counter-terror frameworks—has become a common thread between New Delhi and Tel Aviv.
A Shared Vision, A Shared War
While their cultural backdrops are vastly different, Netanyahu and Modi seem to be reading from the same strategic playbook. Their policies reflect the harsh truth that in today’s world, terror cannot be wished away—it must be confronted. With precision, with conviction, and with the full might of the state.
For both India and Israel, survival is not just a goal—it is a daily battle. And in this battle, their shared philosophy may well become the defining counter-terror doctrine of the 21st century.
