Videos show the pandemonium that ensued as the rapid force of the rain headed toward the village, with many locals whistling to warn their neighbors. Many were seen fleeing for the lives, but it was unclear if they made it alive.

The town is a key tourist stopover for pilgrims en route to the sacred Gangotri shrine in the northeastern part of the country and is a popular tourist attraction with hotels and restaurants serving those heading for tours in the Himalayas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally contacted Uttarakhand's chief minister after the cloudburst-triggered floods claimed wiped out parts of Dharali village, as rescue teams including army personnel deployed from nearby Harsil work frantically to locate survivors trapped under debris.

Video: The flash flood in India on August 5, 2025 / Credit: Indian social media

The high-altitude crucial stopover for Gangotri pilgrims saw the sudden outburst of rain from a cloud on the mountain,. While officials estimate that 20-25 tourist accommodations and homestays were completely destroyed by the torrential waters, Indian Express reported. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on social media platform X that State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, and district emergency teams are operating with maximum urgency to address the crisis.

"I am in constant touch with senior officials. The situation is being monitored closely," Dhami stated, conveying his sorrow over the casualties. Panic spread throughout adjacent villages as video footage from the disaster zone captured frightening scenes of muddy water filled with debris crashing through residential areas.

Let hill stations be. Let ecologically sensitive places be. Don't kill them under the garb of tourism. Don't be greedy. There are 100s of places like this precariously placed waiting for disaster. Let it be. Undo all the damage NOW #Uttarakhand #uttarkashicloudburst pic.twitter.com/EwNA0i4h43

— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) August 5, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sympathy Tuesday through a social media post to families affected by the devastating flash floods in Dharali, Uttarkashi. "I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people," the Prime Minister wrote.

''People fleeing from homes to stay alive, but many were seen being swept away in no time''

Massive devastation in Dharali village near Gangotri Dham, likelihood of many people being killed, may God protect everyone #Uttarakhand #Uttarkashi #Cloudburst #Dharali pic.twitter.com/v4IFLkzQXp

— Sumit (@SumitHansd) August 5, 2025

Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra both conveyed their grief regarding the deaths caused by the cloudburst in Dharali, which generated flash floods and resulted in at least four confirmed fatalities. Gandhi urged authorities to accelerate rescue operations and appealed to Congress workers to provide assistance.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday hailed the ambitious plan to create an international trade corridor linking Europe, the Middle East and India as the largest collaborative project Israel has ever undertaken.

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The initiative, which includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and the United Arab Emirates, will link railways, ports, electricity and data networks and hydrogen pipelines from India through Mideast and Israel to Europe. It was announced on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Video: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks about the historic trade route / Credit: Twitter

"Israel is at the focus of an unprecedented international project that will link infrastructure from Asia to Europe," Netanyahu said in a recorded video statement. "This link will also realize a multi-year vision that will change the face of the Middle East, and Israel, and will affect the entire world. This vision starts in India, and passes through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel before reaching Europe."

Netanyahu further stated that "the State of Israel will be a central junction in this economic corridor. Our railways and ports will open a new gateway from India, through the Middle East, to Europe, and back."

"I would like to thank US President Biden and his administration for the major effort that has led us to today's historic announcement. Several months ago, the US contacted us regarding the realization of this historic opportunity. Since then, it has held urgent diplomatic contacts in order to bring about today's breakthrough.

Israel "will contribute its capabilities, all of its experience, momentum, and commitment, to realize the largest cooperation project in our history. All government ministries will be instructed to join in realizing this dream," the prime minister said.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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The online greetings were triggered by a tweet from the Israeli Embassy in India to mark Friendship Day, which Indians celebrate every year on the first Sunday in August. "Happy #FriendshipDay2019 India! May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," the embassy wrote.

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Modi responded by attesting to his strong ties with Netanyahu, who in 2018 made a historic visit to New Delhi, following the Modi's visit to Jerusalem – the first by a sitting Indian prime minister.

Writing in Hebrew, Modi tweeted: "Thank you [the embassy]; I wish the great citizens of Israel and my friend @netanyahu a happy Friendship Day. Israel and India have proved their friendship over time. Our ties our enternal and strong. I hope that our friendship will continue to thrive and grow even further."

Netanyahu later issued a similar greeting, echoing Modi's sentiment: "Thank you, my friend, Indian PM @narendramodi. I could not agree with you more. The deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians. We cooperate in so many areas. I know our ties will only strengthen in the future!"

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During his first term in office that began in May 2014, Modi has been credited with taking Israel-India ties to a new level. In 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian head of state to visit Israel. The following year, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin reciprocated by touring India. In July 2017, it was Modi's turn to write history by visiting Israel – the first-ever by a sitting Indian head of government. In January 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in India to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Modi, like many Indian business leaders, appreciates the potential that can be unlocked if the two countries work together in the arena of technology and innovation. "We are of one view that together our scientists and researchers would develop, build and implement mutually beneficial solutions," he said during his visit to Israel.

With Modi at the helm, both countries signed cooperation agreements in areas ranging from rural development to space exploration. Last year, the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) was launched to promote joint industrial-research projects. During his tenure, leading Israeli academic institutions, including Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and IDC Herzliya College, have implemented joint projects with prominent Indian universities.

Israel's agriculture project in India has emerged as the largest engagement of its kind by Israel anywhere in the world. Under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project (IIAP), MASHAV – Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation – operates at least 25 Centers of Excellence across India. The project not only focuses on harvesting conventional crops but also on improving farmers' income by introducing beekeeping, floriculture and mariculture. In 2018 alone, nearly 150,000 farmers were trained in agriculture best practices by Israeli experts at these centers.

The bilateral trade has risen steadily from $200 million in 1992, when the two countries established diplomatic relations, to more than $5 billion (excluding defense deals) in 2016-2017. The commercial interests, once limited to the conventional gemstone sector, have moved over to pharmaceuticals, information technology, telecommunications and homeland security. As part of Modi's "Make in India" initiative, the government has worked to reduce the country's dependence on foreign arms-suppliers. Many leading Israeli defense companies, including Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael, have been encouraged to set up manufacturing units in the country.

Though some of these developments have taken place gradually since the early 1990s and can equally be credited to the previous Israeli and India governments, bilateral ties today bear Modi's distinct signature. In keeping with his policy to forge a strong bond with the Indian diaspora worldwide, India's government has made specials effort in reaching out to nearly 85,000 Jews of Indian-origin living in Israel. During his July 2017 visit, Modi addressed a gathering of 8,000 Indian Jews and Indian nationals living in Israel. No modern Indian leader before Modi has managed to galvanize the Indian diaspora in such large numbers.

Despite the mainstream media's aversion to Modi on account of his "populist" and nationalist brand of politics, his tenure has been good for business. When he first took office five years ago, India ranked 142th out of 189 countries in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index. In 2019, India has jumped to the 77th spot. The political stability offered by Modi's secure mandate makes India an attractive destination for Israeli investors.

Even though Modi isn't a populist along the lines of U.S. President Donald Trump, as his detractors in the Western media view him, he isn't a reformer of a libertarian mold, as many of his admirers in the West consider him. At home, he has been a social conservative, expanding and rebranding welfare programs of his predecessors. Abroad, he has been a firm votary of multilateralism, advocating for free trade and climate action at international fora.

Unlike his predecessors, Modi's foreign policy has been shaped by his personal relationships with world leaders. If he has been warm toward Trump, Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, his dealings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can be described as frosty. Therefore, much rests on the personal rapport between him and the next Israeli premier.

With Modi in office, bilateral ties remain at a historic high. The media speculations over possible hostilities from India's large Muslim population over Modi's diplomatic "pivot" towards Israel have largely been unfounded. Beating predictions, he doubled his share of Muslim votes, increasing it from 4% in 2014 to 9% this election cycle. The Arab countries as well haven't have shown any inclination of punishing India for building stronger ties with the Jewish state. These factors combined with an increased mandate, give Modi even greater leverage in cementing diplomatic ties with Israel compared to his previous term.

This article is reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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The suicide bomb attack on a paramilitary police convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir last Thursday killed at least 40 men, the deadliest single attack on Indian forces in 30 years of insurgency in the Muslim-majority region.

The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack. India accuses Pakistan for harboring the group. Pakistan denies that.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, facing an election that must be held by May, is under domestic pressure for decisive action against Pakistan.

Modi has promised a strong response and says he has given the military a free hand to tackle cross-border militancy.

The two suspected masterminds of the bomb attack killed in a clash on Monday were both Pakistani nationals and members of JeM, police said in a statement.

"The encounter is still in progress and the security forces are on the job," police said.

Four Indian soldiers and a civilian were also killed during the fighting, police said. Security force sources told Reuters one of the dead militants had been identified as Abdul Rashid Gazi, who went by the alias Kamran Bhai.

Indian troops had earlier cordoned off Pinglan village in Kashmir's Pulwama district, where the attack took place on Thursday.

An indefinite curfew has been imposed and police have asked people to stay indoors.

Mohammad Yunis, a journalist in Pulwama, said troops were searching the village and civilians trapped in houses were being evacuated.

On Sunday, police said Indian forces had detained 23 men suspected of links to the militants who carried out the Thursday bombing.

Kashmir is at the heart of decades of hostility between India and Pakistan. They both claim it in full but rule it in part.

India withdrew trade privileges offered to Pakistan after the bomb attack and has warned of further action.

The United States had told India it supported its right to defend itself against cross-border attacks, India said on Saturday.

With tension mounting, Pakistan withdrew its envoy to India for consultations, a spokesman for Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Twitter on Monday.

The Thursday bomb attack has sparked outrage in India with calls for revenge circulating on social media, and rising animosity towards Kashmiri Muslims in other parts of the Hindu-majority country, to the alarm of rights groups.

"We are at a dangerous moment, and authorities must do everything they can to uphold the rule of law," said Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty India.

"Ordinary Kashmiris across India who are only seeking to improve their lives should not be singled out for violence simply because of where they come from."

The All India Cine Workers Association called for a "total ban" on Pakistanis working in India's film industry, though they have been largely blacklisted from Bollywood since a similar attack in Kashmir in 2016 in which 19 soldiers died.

The Confederation of All India Traders called for a nationwide strike to protest against the attack, and footage from Reuters partner ANI showed shuttered shops in several states on Monday.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Netanyahu at Palam Airport in New Delhi. Netanyahu's office put out an announcement saying that Modi's greeting was a "surprise welcome" because a cabinet minister had been scheduled to attend instead.

"I very much appreciate the gesture," Netanyahu said.

The two leaders then departed for a ceremony at New Delhi's Teen Murti square, a memorial for the Indian soldiers killed fighting to liberate Haifa from Ottoman forces in World War I. At the ceremony, the memorial was officially renamed the Teen-Murti Haifa Chowk/

The gesture "underscores the special link and the common history between Israel and India," Netanyahu said.

During the six-day stay, the two countries are expected to sign collaboration agreements in the fields of cybersecurity, energy, space, and film production, India's External Affairs Ministry said. They are also expected to review progress on deals in the fields of technology, water and agriculture that were signed during Modi's historic visit to Israel last year, the first by an Indian prime minister to Israel.

Before leaving for India, Netanyahu told reporters in Israel that the trip "serves our security, economic, trade and tourism interests, as well as many other areas. We are strengthening ties between Israel and this important global power."

The visit marks 25 years since India and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1992. It also comes weeks after India voted in favor of the U.N. resolution denouncing President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon downplayed India's vote.

"I think that the relationship is much stronger than one vote at the U.N.," he said.

Netanyahu said, "I don't think one vote affects the general trend. Naturally, we are disappointed, but I think this visit is indicative of ties between us moving forward on so many fronts – not just in terms of politics, but also in terms of technology, security, tourism and everything.

"At the individual citizen level, the fact that one can grow produce better, that there is better and cleaner water, better energy, cleaner air. These are the things that make a difference in people's lives, and I think our partnership promotes that. I think that we will ultimately see this reflected in all the votes at the U.N."

Bilateral trade between India and Israel has skyrocketed from $200 million in 1992 to $4.16 billion in 2016. However, that remains far below Israel's nearly $40 billion in annual trade with its largest partners, the United States and the European Union.

Still, there are irritants in the growing relationship, including India's cancellation of a $500 million anti-tank missile deal with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It was not clear why India scrapped the deal before the contract was signed.

Netanyahu expressed hope India would ultimately go through with the deal.

In an interview with a local TV station, Netanyahu said he hoped his visit would help "resolve the issue," adding, "Our defense ties [with India] are quite significant and encompass many things. I think the key word is 'defense.' We want to defend ourselves. We are not an aggressive nation, but we are committed to ensuring that no can act as an aggressor toward us."

During the Cold War, India did not have open relations with Israel, leaning heavily in favor of the Palestinians. But over the past 25 years, the two countries have developed close ties.

Carmon said that Israeli-India ties would withstand any troubles.

"The relationship is an all-weather relationship," he told reporters, adding it is "so strong and so important to both countries that our feeling is that nothing can reverse it."

He said Netanyahu was bringing with him 130 businesspeople, "which reflects the enthusiasm in Israel to do more business with India."

On Monday, Netanyahu was set to hold formal discussions with Modi and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, as well as attend the India-Israel CEO Forum and Raisina Dialogue, an international geopolitical conference.

Netanyahu was also expected to visit the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi and, along with members of his accompanying delegation, take part in economic events.

In Mumbai, Netanyahu will meet with Jewish community leaders, Indian business leaders and representatives of the Bollywood film industry.

While in Mumbai, Netanyahu is also scheduled to take part in a memorial ceremony for the victims of the 2008 terrorist attack at the Taj Palace and Tower Hotel and a local Chabad center. Also set to take part in the memorial ceremony is Moishe Holzberg, now 12, who was a toddler when his parents, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holzberg, were killed in the attack.

 Netanyahu will also visit Modi's home state of Gujarat, in western India.

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