India, March 17 -- Israel on Monday said the opportunity to launch its joint military offensive with the United States against Iran emerged only after Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to Tel Aviv in February, rejecting Opposition criticism over the timing of the trip.

Israel's envoy to India, Reuven Azar, said the regional situation was already volatile during the Prime Minister's visit on February 25-26. His remarks came amid criticism from the Indian National Congress, which had described Modi's visit as "shameful" and "ill-timed".

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid had argued that the timing of the trip "creates the perception of a political endorsement of military escalation".

Addressing reporters, Azar said Israel rem...