By Our Correspondent

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared India stands "firmly" with Israel against Palestine during his address to the Knesset, condemning Hamas while remaining conspicuously silent over 73,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza -- a omission that has sparked outrage across India and beyond.

"I carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7," Modi told Israeli lawmakers. "We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond".

However, critics were quick to point out what the Indian prime minister did not say. In a speech lasting nearly 30 minutes, Modi made no mention of the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians killed during the Israeli genocidal war in Gaza, nor did he reference the International Court of Justice's ongoing proceedings regarding allegations of genocide against Israeli leaders.

The disconnect between Modi's warm embrace of Israeli leadership and the staggering human toll in Gaza has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many Indians declaring that the prime minister does not speak for them.

"We Indian condemns Israel. Modi does not represent India," wrote one user on X, capturing a sentiment echoed across social media platforms.

Lakshmi, a student in New Delhi, told The South Asia Times that Modi does not represent the Indian people; he only represents those who are terrorists, who are killing innocent people, including children and women.

"I condemn Modi, who is shaking hands and hugging a killer whose hands are bloodied with the blood of innocent Palestinian children and women. He could not represent us."

The criticism intensified after a video from Modi's arrival went viral, showing him joking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, telling her, "You are wearing saffron" -- a color deeply associated with Hindu nationalism in India. The clip sparked heated debate over diplomatic conduct and appropriateness given the circumstances.

- Hugged a criminal 

Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and president of the Peoples Democratic Party, launched a blistering attack on Modi's visit and condemned it. 

"PM Modi, who is the representative of 140 crore Indians, went there and hugged a criminal. This is not a good sign for India," Mufti said. "He (Benjamin Netanyahu) has been shunned by the world, banned from entering many countries".

Mufti's reference points to the International Criminal Court's issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his defense minister over war crimes in Gaza, a factor that has kept most world leaders from visiting Israel.

"This is against the policy of the nation," Mufti added. "The entire nation is against the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu."

Prominent Indian Muslim leader Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned Modi's visit and said that now Israel probably attack Iran.

The diplomatic embarrassment multiplied when opposition lawmakers in Israel itself boycotted Modi's address to the Knesset.

The walkout, led by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid's bloc, stemmed from a procedural dispute over the exclusion of Supreme Court President Isaac Amit from the event.

"If that's true, this is the biggest embarrassment any Indian PM has ever faced," one social media user commented.

Back in India, opposition parties united in their condemnation. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said ahead of Modi's visit: "I hope that the Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women, and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them". However, her hopes were dashed.

The Communist Party of India went further, stating that "the Modi visit is thus a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and legitimises the murderous Netanyahu regime."

Modi's visit -- only his second to Israel since taking office in 2014 -- comes at a time when most world leaders have avoided Tel Aviv due to the ICC warrants against Netanyahu. Only US President Donald Trump and a handful of Israel's closest allies have made the trip.

The timing has fueled speculation about Modi's motivations. Analysts suggest the Indian leader is seeking to leverage Netanyahu's influence with Trump, particularly after the US president's recent warmth toward Pakistan.

Trump has repeatedly referenced the May 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan, noting that ten to eleven jets were shot down -- a reference that reportedly rankles Modi.

"Modi went to Israel to use Netanyahu's influence over President Trump to support Modi," one analyst suggested, noting that Trump "currently is very close to Pakistan."

However, India’s Muslim community of over 220 million is watching the diplomatic shift with growing unease, as Modi has changed New Delhi’s policy to align with Israel against the Palestinians, a move that could push India into trouble.

But for critics like Junaid Alam, a senior researcher at New Delhi, such statements ring hollow. "The Modi government's 'realistic turn' has caused it to lose its moral influence in the Global South," Alam said. "Modi's visit to Israel while the fires of Gaza still burn is no different from legitimizing the apartheid Israeli regime."

As Modi concludes his two-day visit, the images that will linger are those of warm embraces with a leader facing war crimes charges, a joking reference to saffron clothing, and 73,000 Palestinian dead left unmentioned. For many Indians, the question remains: at what cost does this strategic alliance come?