Survey 'Israel Ranks As India's Second-Closest Partner After Russia'

Israel has emerged as India’s second-closest partner after Russia in the eyes of young adults across the country’s largest population belt, according to a new perception study released by the India Israel Centre. 

The survey of adults aged 21 to 40 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, a region home to more than a third of India’s population, places Israel ahead of the United States, Japan and France on friendship and on standing by India in difficult times. It also ranks Israel second only to Russia as a country recognised for helping India.

The October 2026 study, the Centre’s third youth perception survey this



year, drew on 1,023 respondents both online and in person. Sixty-two per cent rated Israel a good friend to India and 57 per cent said it stands by the country in difficult times; only Russia scored higher on both. Forty-two per cent named Israel as a country that helps India, ahead of the United States and Japan. On trust, Israel stands at 57 per cent, ahead of France, the UAE, Singapore and the United States.

Sixty-one per cent of respondents believe India benefits from defence and technology cooperation with Israel, a figure only bettered by Russia. From May to October, defence has stayed at the heart of how young Indians see Israel, with each survey recording a stronger endorsement.