Tel Aviv, February 25 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday for a two-day state visit, his first to the country since 2017. In a special gesture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, welcomed Prime Minister Modi at Ben Gurion Airport.
Both leaders embraced warmly, displaying their trademark camaraderie and friendship, which has taken the relationship between the two countries to a new high over the last decade.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, address the Israeli Parliament – the Knesset – and participate in various other programmes.
Prime Minister Modi last visited Israel in 2017, a trip that opened new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in defence, agriculture, and water management. Netanyahu had also welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the airport in 2017.
In his departure statement on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi stated that he is looking forward to his engagements with Netanyahu, aimed at further strengthening cooperation in various sectors and discussing regional and global issues.
"India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years. I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties," he said.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will also meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and hold talks with him on various bilateral issues.
"I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations," he said.
The Prime Minister said that he eagerly looks forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora, "who have for long been nurturing the India-Israel special friendship".
"I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the Strategic Partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future," Prime Minister Modi added.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi warmly acknowledged Netanyahu's personal tribute during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, where the Israeli Prime Minister described Prime Minister Modi as a "dear friend" and hailed his upcoming visit as a milestone in bilateral ties.
In response to a video posted by Netanyahu on X, Prime Minister Modi stated, "Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress. Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visit."
Netanyahu had shared a video from the cabinet meeting on X. In his remarks to his cabinet, Netanyahu termed Prime Minister Modi's arrival in the country as a historic moment, underscoring the strength of the India-Israel alliance.
He spoke of a vision to forge a broader "axis of nations" in the Middle East – an alliance of like-minded countries united "against radical forces" and committed to stability, security, and technological advancement.
Highlighting his personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi, the Israeli Prime Minister noted their frequent exchanges and mutual visits, calling the Indian leader not just a partner but a "personal friend".
Elaborating on Prime Minister Modi's engagements in Israel, Netanyahu said, "On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive. He will address the Knesset, and I am sure you will all be there. We will also hold an innovation event in Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem together. I will also note something else, a special collaboration. We will advance cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum. I say AI and quantum not because it's not the future, it's the present, and we want to be among the world's leading nations in this field".
