Netanyahu dials PM Modi, invites him to light torch with Smit Machchhar on Israel's Independence Day

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday spoke with PM Modi and invited him to participate in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations alongside Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, whom he described as heroic. In a post on X, Netanyahu said PM Modi thanked him for the invitation and highlighted the close counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.

“I spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside a brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day. PM Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on land and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terrorism together. He also commended the strong and decades-old ties between us. He expressed his appreciation for the courageous and long-standing relationship between us,” Netanyahu said.

On the other hand, PM Modi said he



received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership. We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,” he said.

During their phone call, both the leaders also welcomed the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

"The leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's call for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.