India, Feb. 26 -- When Narendra Modi visited Israel, the optics went far beyond symbolism. The trip unfolded against the backdrop of deepening instability in the Middle East, sharpening great-power rivalry, and renewed strategic competition in South Asia. For New Delhi, the engagement was not a diplomatic courtesy call but a calibrated signal of India's evolving geopolitical posture: one that is increasingly defined by strategic autonomy, technological ambition, and multi-vector partnerships.

The Middle East remains marked by persistent volatility. The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to inflame regional opinion, with spillover risks affecting global energy markets and maritime security. Iran's expanding regional footprint and its sha...