'Will advice PM Modi on how to deal with Trump', says Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu amid high tariffs on India

Amid US President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariffs on India, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered help saying he will advice Prime Minister Narendra Modi on dealing with the American president.

On the tariffs, Netanyahu said it was important for India and the US to reach a common ground. In a light-hearted moment, he said the advice will be given in "private".

"Modi and Trump are terrific friends of mine. Yes I would give Modi some advice (on dealing with Trump), but privately," PTI quoted him as saying in an interaction with the media.


"There is a basic understanding in relationship between India and the US. The basis of the relationship is very solid. It will be in the interest of India and the US to arrive at a common ground and resolve the tariff issue. Such a resolution will be good for Israel as well as both the countries are our friends," he added.

Benjamin Netanyahu on Operation Sindoor

Netanyahu claimed that Israeli weapons were used in Operation Sindoor, adding that "all of them worked well." He also offered help in boosting India's surveillance system to fight cross-border terrorism. The Israeli prime minister added that defence cooperation between the two nations was on a strong upward trajectory.

"Israel supplied military equipment to India before (Op Sindoor). All of them worked well. Israeli equipment used during Operation Sindoor were battle proven," he said.

On combating cross-border terrorism, he said, "India is huge country and it is not easy to have surveillance all over. We are ready to help India in air surveillance systems. Besides intelligence, we need the physical capability to get the terrorists before they strike."

"You always have to be ahead of the curve, you don’t allow them to break you, you have to act before what is likely to come and being hatched by them," he added.

Netanyahu also said he would like to visit India "soon", adding that he had an interest in establishing direct flights between Tel Aviv and Bengaluru, which would cut the travel time to just six hours.