Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Gen Z Survey Finds Stronger Perceptions of India-Israel Defence Ties
A survey asked young Indians how they view India’s relationships with other countries.
Many respondents said India and Israel have strong defence ties.
Israel’s defence rating was higher than France’s and the United States’ in the survey.
Some respondents also counted Israel among India’s important diplomatic partners.
The India Israel Centre said stories, podcasts and popular culture may have helped change these views.
It highlighted Israel’s emergency supply of laser-guided weapons and surveillance support during a war.
The survey said defence and technology were important reasons for these opinions.
The study was conducted using AI platforms, so its findings describe the survey respondents’ views rather than proving what everyone believes.
A pan-Indian survey found 52% of respondents aged 18-29 viewed India-Israel defence ties as robust.
Israel ranked ahead of France, at 51%, and the United States, at 46%, in defence perceptions.
Forty-one per cent placed Israel among India’s key diplomatic partners, compared with 39% for the United States.
The India Israel Centre attributed changing views partly to awareness of Israel’s wartime military support and technological cooperation.
The findings were released on September 16 and were based on a study conducted using AI platforms.
- Who
- The India Israel Centre surveyed Indian respondents aged 18-29, and spokesperson Suresh Nakhua commented on the findings.
- What
- A pan-Indian survey measured Gen Z perceptions of India’s diplomatic and defence relationships, particularly with Israel.
- When
- The findings were released on September 16; the report was published on September 20.
- Where
- India; the survey was described as pan-Indian.
- Why
- The study examined changing youth perceptions of India-Israel ties and the factors shaping views of the bilateral relationship.
- Defence ties rating
- 52% of respondents aged 18-29 considered India-Israel defence ties robust.
- France comparison
- France received a 51% defence-ties rating.
- United States comparison
- The United States received a 46% defence-ties rating.
- Diplomatic ties
- 41% placed Israel among India’s key diplomatic partners, compared with 39% for the United States.
- Age group most receptive
- The India Israel Centre said respondents aged 22-25 were most receptive to stronger India-Israel cooperation.
- Study method
- The findings were based on a study conducted using AI platforms.
- Year-on-year change
- Israel’s defence rating increased by five percentage points from the previous year, according to the statement.