Netanyahu cancels India visit for the third time over security concerns

This is the third time this year that the Israeli Prime Minister has cancelled his visit to India.
 

Citing Israeli media outlet i24NEWS, Indian news outlet NDTV reported this information on Tuesday (25 November).
 

According to the report, the terrorist attack that took place in New Delhi two weeks ago was the deadliest in almost a decade. At least 15 people were killed and many others were injured. In this situation, Netanyahu’s visit to India may be postponed to next year until a fresh security assessment is completed.
 

Earlier, there were reports that he would visit New Delhi to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the end of this year. However, this is the third time this year that the Israeli Prime Minister has cancelled his plan to visit India.

Previously, Netanyahu was scheduled to come to India on a one-day visit on 9 September, but later postponed it. At that time, he cited his busy schedule due to the upcoming 17 September re-election in Israel. Before that, he had also cancelled his Delhi visit in April ahead of the start of the election.
 

Many see Netanyahu’s visit as an attempt to highlight his acceptability in global politics. In July, his Likud party used a banner during the election campaign that featured photos of Netanyahu alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This campaign was aimed at portraying him as being among the major leaders on the international stage.
 

Notably, Netanyahu last visited India in January 2018. And in 2017, Modi visited Israel  the first ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Tel Aviv.