A FEW days after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promoted a “hexagon of alliances” with India as a “central pillar”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Israel to strengthen strategic ties further. The Prime Minister received a red-carpet welcome with his Israeli counterpart Netanyahu and wife Sara receiving the Indian leader at the Ben Gurion airport. It is PM Modi’s second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during his first visit to that country in July 2017. Netanyahu greeted the Indian Prime Minister with a warm hug, following which Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport, located 20 kilometres southeast of Tel Aviv. The Israeli Prime Minister praised PM Modi’s strong leadership as the Indian leader touched down in Tel Aviv. “You are a great leader,” said Netanyahu after the two leaders exchanged a warm hug at the tarmac.

 

The Israeli PM also engaged in an animated conversation with PM Modi, highlighting that the colour of PM Modi’s pocket square matches Sara’s saffron dress perfectly. The two leaders will hold wide-ranging talks on Thursday. “Landed in Israel. I am extremely honoured to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs Netanyahu at the airport. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen India-Israel friendship,” PM Modi posted on X. Following the arrival ceremony, the two Prime Ministers held a brief one-on-one meeting. “Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Expressed gratitude to him for the warm welcome earlier in the day. It is a delight to be back in Israel after 9 years,” Modi said on ‘X’. "We discussed a wide range of subjects aimed at boosting bilateral ties. Sectors such as technology, water management, agriculture, talent partnership and more offer immense scope for close collaboration. We also discussed key developments in the region," he said.