Is Narendra Modi Modeling His Policies After Benjamin Netanyahu? A Geopolitical Reflection

The parallels between the leadership styles and policies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have raised serious concerns among political analysts and human rights observers alike. Both leaders helm right-wing nationalist governments and have been accused of using security crises to justify aggressive and often disproportionate responses against minority populations.

One of the most striking similarities lies in their handling of occupied territories—Gaza in the case of Israel, and Kashmir in the case of India. In both regions, heavy militarization is the norm, with curfews, communication blackouts, and frequent human rights violations reported by international observers. In Kashmir, the presence of one soldier for every ten civilians underscores the scale of India’s military presence, yet this has failed to produce lasting stability or peace. The recent security lapse in the region demonstrates the limitations of military solutions to deeply rooted political and social conflicts.

Moreover, both Netanyahu and Modi have been accused of leveraging terrorist attacks to launch broader military operations that critics say go far beyond self-defense. After the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas, Israel’s response resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—according to humanitarian reports. This response, many argue, amounts to collective punishment and ethnic cleansing under the guise of anti-terrorism. We have all seen it over and over that murdering terrorists breeds more terrorists.

India’s post-Pulwama airstrikes in Balakot in 2019 followed a similar logic—swift military retaliation to a terrorist attack, widely publicized to reinforce nationalistic sentiment at home. These tactics mirror the United States’ post-9/11 response, where the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan occurred despite the fact that most of the attackers were Saudi nationals. Such strategies often sacrifice long-term peace and justice for short-term political gains and a narrative of strength.

Another dangerous assumption evident in this approach is the idea that Pakistanis—or Indian Muslims, by extension—are foreign, when in fact, this land has always been their home. Some locals converted to various versions of Islam and some to the various versions of christianity. 98% people in South Asia share the same genes.  Attempts to “Gaza-fy” Pakistan or Kashmir risk igniting long-lasting and uncontrollable conflict in a nuclear-armed region. The shared cultural, historical, and familial ties between people on both sides of the border make the notion of permanent separation through violence not only immoral but untenable.

The Indian influence over American politics is far from the stronghold of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) monies over the elected officials and India’s hopes for a similar unwavering American political and media support in a genocide is a bit premature. If Modi’s vision is indeed to follow Netanyahu’s playbook, the Indian government must reckon with the consequences: prolonged instability, global condemnation, and the erosion of democratic values at home. No amount of military force or media control can suppress the will of a people indefinitely. The path forward must be one of dialogue, justice, and reconciliation—not militarized dominance or religious exclusion.