India's Gen Z sees Israel among key defence and diplomatic partners, survey finds

A pan-Indian survey of Gen Z has found a shift in how young Indians view Israel's role in India's foreign policy, with respondents placing the country among India's leading partners for defence cooperation and diplomatic ties, the India Israel Centre said.

According to the findings, 52 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 29 considered India-Israel defence ties robust. Israel was placed third, alongside other countries including Russia, while France was at 51 per cent and the US at 46 per cent.

The survey also found that 41 per cent of respondents regarded Israel as one of India's key diplomatic partners, ahead of the US at 39 per cent. The India Israel Centre did not specify which other countries occupied the top positions in the diplomatic and defence rankings.

Defence and technology shape perceptions

The findings, released on September 16, were based on a study conducted using AI platforms, according to the India Israel Centre.

The organisation said defence and technological innovation were emerging as the principal drivers of young Indians' perceptions of the bilateral relationship. Israel's defence rating increased by five percentage points compared with the previous year.

The India Israel Centre said recent cultural narratives, pop culture references and podcasts had helped highlight Israel's role in India's defence preparedness, including the delivery of emergency laser-guided munitions and surveillance support to the Indian armed forces during the Kargil war.

It said this exposure was contributing to a change in how young Indians viewed India's "time-tested allies".

A previous India Israel Centre survey of 500 urban Indians aged 18 to 29, conducted across four regions in May 2026, similarly found that 48 per cent associated Israel primarily with defence and military strength, while 35 per cent associated it with innovation and technology. The earlier study also found that 51 per cent considered Israel technologically advanced.

Generational shift in understanding

The India Israel Centre said a substantial section of Gen Z was born after the 1999 Kargil conflict. As a result, popular historical perceptions of India's defence partnerships had traditionally focused on countries such as Russia and the US.

The organisation said newer cultural narratives were helping bridge this knowledge gap by drawing attention to Israel's contribution during the Kargil conflict, particularly its emergency supply of laser-guided munitions and surveillance assistance.

The centre said the 22 to 25 age group was the most receptive to stronger India-Israel cooperation. It also claimed that there had been a fourfold increase in respondents advocating substantially stronger bilateral ties in the future.

The findings are part of a wider body of research by the India Israel Centre on how younger Indians perceive the relationship. Its September 2026 paper, "The Indian Gen Z Worldview", said Israel had a strong position in perceptions of defence cooperation and that support for deepening the relationship exceeded its current prominence.

Earlier survey showed support for closer ties

The centre's May 2026 survey found that 41 per cent of respondents favoured deepening India-Israel ties, while 20 per cent preferred a more cautious approach or reduced engagement. Asked which country was most helpful to India at the time, Russia was selected by 52 per cent, followed by the US at 22 per cent and Israel at 14 per cent.

The India Israel Centre, an independent forum focused on academic and policy research on India-Israel relations, has been established in academic partnership with the Centre for Israel Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University.

"The encouraging survey results are a powerful reflection of the deep-rooted trust and affection between the people of India and Israel," India Israel Centre spokesperson Suresh Nakhua said.

He said the findings also reflected "growing public awareness and appreciation" of the bilateral relationship.

The centre said the latest findings point to a generational recalibration in perceptions of India's relationship with Israel, particularly around defence, technology and future cooperation.