In a historic two-day state visit to Tel Aviv today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Ben Gurion Airport as part of the landmark two-day state visit to strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. A red-carpet welcome and ceremonial guard of honor were given to the Prime Minister symbolizing the close personal rapport, as well as the solid connections of the two countries’ diplomatic relationship.
Modi was greeted on arrival with a personal reception by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu. The two leaders greeted each other in the heat of the moment on the tarmac, an embrace that has come to represent the “close personal chemistry” between the two heads of state.
Welcome - ‘Extremely Honoured’
Prime Minister Modi wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shortly after landing to express his thanks. "I am incredibly honoured to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen the India-Israel friendship," PM Modi said. Netanyahu echoed that tone, terming the visit “historic” and talking to Modi as a “dear friend,” whose presence reaffirms the “unshakeable bond” that exists between the two democracies.
נחתתי בישראל.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2026
לכבוד הוא לי להתקבל על ידי ראש הממשלה נתניהו וגברת נתניהו בשדה התעופה. אני מצפה לקיים דיונים בילטרליים ולתוצאות פוריות שיחזקו את הידידות בין הודו לישראל.@netanyahu pic.twitter.com/E5BOXRWfti
A Historic Agenda: The Knesset and Beyond
Its visit in 2026 will host meetings that will revolve around high-level interactions looking to solidify defence, tech and agricultural cooperation. Among the key points of such a trip are:
- Address to the Knesset: PM Modi is slated to be the first Indian PM to speak at the Parliament of Israel, the Knesset, an event viewed as a tribute to shared democratic values.
- The “Hexagon” Alliance: Netanyahu seeks to lay out a vision of a “hexagon” of the alliances that span India, Arab countries, African nations, and Mediterranean states to combat regional threats.
- Innovation & Technology: Both leaders will attend a major innovation event in Jerusalem, focusing on startups and technology for water management.
- Yad Vashem Visit: On Thursday the leaders will go to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial to pay their respects before signing a series of economic and security agreements.
Strengthening the Strategic Partnership
It has been PM Modi’s second trip to Israel, after his historic visit in 2017. Since then, it has developed from a traditional defense-based buyer-seller relationship to a much broader strategic partnership. As the world witnesses an affirmation of this “Axis of Innovation,” the visit is likely to set a new framework for Indo-Israeli relations in the second half of this decade.
