Indian Ambassador to Israel JP Singh on 7 October 2026 delivered the keynote address at a conference organised by Israel's Defence and Security Forum in Jerusalem, calling on nations to shoulder a shared responsibility in confronting terrorism. The event coincided with the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led terror attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel.

Ambassador's Keynote Address

At the Defence and Security Forum conference, Ambassador JP Singh paid tribute to the victims of the October 7 terror attack before stressing the collective global obligation to combat terrorism. He also highlighted ongoing and emerging areas of cooperation under the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership, extending an invitation for Israel to participate in India's economic growth story, according to the Indian Embassy's statement.

India's Position at the Counter-Terrorism Summit

Ambassador Singh also took part in a panel discussion titled 'A New Regional Order: A Discussion with Diplomats', held as part of the World Summit on Counter-Terrorism organised by the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University. Speaking on prevailing geopolitical conditions, he reiterated India's long-held position that 'it is not an era of war,' underscoring the country's firm resolve to pursue peace, regional security, and the fight against terrorism. Notably, this phrase echoes a formulation Prime Minister Narendra Modi has used repeatedly on global platforms, signalling continuity in India's diplomatic messaging.

Netanyahu Lights Memorial Candle

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately lit a memorial candle at his office in Jerusalem to honour those killed in the October 7 attacks. In a statement from his office, Netanyahu said, 'Today, I lit a memorial candle at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, commemorating every victim murdered on the 7th of October by the monsters of Hamas.' He added, 'The nation unites on this day in the longing for our dear ones. We will complete the mission: we have settled the score and will continue settling the score with all the murderers.'

Context: The October 7 Attack and Its Aftermath

The Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023 remains the deadliest attack on Israel in its modern history, claiming around 1,200 lives and triggering a large-scale Israeli military campaign across Gaza. The conflict subsequently spread into wider regional confrontations. This comes amid continued international debate over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the prospects for a ceasefire, with several diplomatic channels still active. India has consistently maintained its opposition to terrorism in all forms while also calling for dialogue and de-escalation — a dual posture Ambassador Singh's remarks on 7 October 2026 reinforced.

India-Israel Strategic Partnership

The India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership, elevated to that status in 2017, covers defence, agriculture, water technology, and innovation. Ambassador Singh's remarks signal New Delhi's intent to deepen those ties even as the broader Middle East remains volatile. The ambassador's presence at both the defence forum and the counter-terrorism summit underlines India's growing engagement on multilateral security platforms beyond its immediate neighbourhood.

Further diplomatic engagements between India and Israel are expected in the coming weeks, as both sides explore expanded cooperation frameworks against the backdrop of an evolving regional security order.