By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – According to a new survey by the India Israel Centre on Thursday Israel has emerged as India’s second-most trusted partner after Russia among young adults in the Hindi-speaking belt, with a majority believed that the country supports India during difficult times.

The study highlighted growing confidence in bilateral defence and technology cooperation, with 50% supporting stronger ties.

The study, conducted among people aged 21 to 40 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand found that Israel ranks ahead of countries such as the US, Japan and France in terms of friendship and support for India.

The 5 states together account for more than one third of India’s population, survey stated.

The October 2026 survey, the Centre’s third youth perception study this year, covered 1,023 respondents through online and face-to-face interactions.

According to the findings, 62 per cent of respondents consider Israel a good friend of India, while 57 per cent believe it stands with India during difficult situations. Russia was the only country to receive higher ratings on both counts.

Over 42 per cent identified Israel as a country that helps India, placed it ahead of the US and Japan.

Israel also recorded a trust rating of 57% higher than France, the UAE, Singapore and the US.

The survey found that 61 per cent of respondents believe India’s defence and technology partnership with Israel is beneficial for the country. Only Russia received a higher rating in this category.

Defence cooperation has remained a major factor shaping perceptions of Israel over the past six months.

In the Centre’s May survey, 48 per cent of respondents associated Israel with defence.

By September, 52 per cent described India’s defence partnership with Israel as strong. This figure increased to 61 per cent in October.

The study also recorded a rise in positive perceptions of Israel’s technological capabilities during this period.

The findings suggested that people who are aware of India’s cooperation with Israel are more likely to view the country positively.

The respondents familiar with the partnership, 75 per cent expressed trust in Israel, while 83 per cent recognized the benefits of defence and technology cooperation. In comparison, trust stood at 43 per cent among those unaware of the partnership.

The survey also highlighted strong support in Gorakhpur and Varanasi, where cooperation in agriculture and employment has contributed to public awareness.

Trust in Israel stood at 91 per cent in Gorakhpur and 88 per cent in Varanasi.

Public backing for closer ties between the two countries has also increased.

According to the survey, 50 per cent of respondents want India to strengthen its relationship with Israel, compared with 41 per cent in the May study.

The percentage of people who want India to reduce its engagement with Israel has declined from 20 per cent to 13 per cent.

Overall, more than three-fourths of respondents support either strengthening or maintaining the existing relationship.

Among respondents aged 21 to 25 who participated in face-to-face interviews, 1 in 5 identified Israel as India’s best friend.

India Israel Centre spokesperson Suresh Nakhua reacted to the findings said, “These findings show a clear shift. When people encounter the partnership in real terms through technology, security cooperation, or agricultural methods, their regard for Israel rises. What was once seen as a specialized relationship is now registering more widely as one of India’s closest partnerships.”