In a heartfelt address to the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showered praise on his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, elevating their bond beyond mere friendship to that of brothers. The chamber in Jerusalem echoed with chants of Modi’s name as Israeli lawmakers rose in unison to applaud the visiting leader.
Netanyahu recounted their shared moments with vivid warmth. ‘Narendra, my dear friend, I am overjoyed to have you here,’ he declared, welcoming Modi and his delegation to the historic city. He reminisced about their barefoot stroll along the Mediterranean coast during Modi’s previous visit, a gesture symbolizing their deepening ties. ‘We didn’t walk on water, but we’ve worked miracles since—doubling our trade, tripling cooperation, and quadrupling our understanding,’ Netanyahu said.
The Israeli PM highlighted the now-famous ‘Modi hug’ at the airport, where he and his wife Sara greeted Modi with open arms. This embrace, celebrated worldwide, underscored the personal rapport between the two leaders. Earlier, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana greeted Modi in fluent Hindi, marking a historic moment as the first Indian Prime Minister to address the parliament.
Modi’s visit strengthens the strategic India-Israel partnership, built on defense, technology, and innovation. Netanyahu hailed Modi as a ‘great champion’ of the alliance and a towering global leader. As the two nations mark milestones in bilateral relations, this brotherly endorsement signals even bolder collaborations ahead, promising mutual prosperity in an uncertain world.