Jerusalem, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for India on Thursday after concluding his two-day visit to Israel, during which the two countries elevated their "time-tested" relationship to a special strategic partnership.
This was PM Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years.
During his visit, PM Modi held talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
"Confident that the India-Israel partnership will continue to reach new heights in the years to come. @netanyahu," Modi said in a post on X.
After the Modi-Netanyahu talks, the two countries signed several agreements and decided to work in the fields of civil and nuclear energy.
The two sides vowed to expand their already close defence partnership; agreed to soon finalize a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal even as PM Modi strongly backed the Gaza peace initiative, asserting that humanity must never become a victim of conflict.
India and Israel also discussed the implementation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and cooperation under the framework of I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA).
"A successful State Visit concludes! After productive discussions, a range of positive outcomes, and a momentous decision by both countries to elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity, PM @narendramodi has departed for India," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post on X.
"In a heartwarming gesture," it further said that PM Netanyahu along with his spouse, Sara Netanyahu, came to see off PM Modi at the airport.
PM Modi thanked Israel "for the warmth and affection," and said he is "deeply touched" that Netanyahu and his wife personally came to the airport to see him off.
Earlier on Wednesday, in a historic address to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, Modi described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path towards "just and durable peace" in the region even as he delivered a powerful message of solidarity with Israel, asserting that "terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere."
Modi was conferred with the 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal' in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel, thus becoming the first foreign leader to receive the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament.
Modi on Thursday visited Yad Vashem memorial here and paid tributes to the victims of the Holocaust.
