PoliticsPhoto: Deccan HeraldIsrael Ranks Second to Russia as India's Closest Partner Among Hindi Heartland Youth
A 2026 survey by the India Israel Centre found Israel is viewed as India's second-closest partner after Russia among young adults in five Hindi-speaking states. Among 1,023 respondents aged 21–40 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand, 62% see Israel as a good friend, with 57% trusting it to support India in tough times. Israel leads the US and Japan in perceived help and scores 57% on trust, driven by defence and technology cooperation.
Deccan Herald·

