Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to be a friend to other world leaders. He often refers to Russia’s Vladimir Putin and France’s Emmanuel Macron as “dear friends”.
But it’s not just the Russian and French leaders whom PM Modi considers a pal. The Indian leader also considers his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, a close friend, and the bonhomie between the two was on display on the first day of PM Modi’s visit to Israel.
From hugs to laughs, and even a car ride, the two leaders’ relationship underscored just how close Israel-India relations have grown under Modi.
Netanyahu’s red carpet welcome to Modi
When PM Modi arrived at the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday (February 25), his second visit to the Jewish nation, he was welcomed by none other than Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara.
The two leaders hugged and exchanged pleasantries as Modi was accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome.
Modi and Netanyahu also shared a laugh at the tarmac when Netanyahu pointed out a small coincidence that PM Modi shared with Sara — the Indian leader was wearing a saffron-colored pocket square, which was the same shade as the dress that Sara wore.
Noticing the colour coordination, Netanyahu pointed to Modi’s pocket square and then to his wife’s outfit, saying, “You see what she wore?”
“Yes,
saffron,” Modi replied with a laugh, as the two leaders exchanged warm greetings.
Welcome to Israel my dear friend @narendramodi 🇮🇱🙏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/AnRtceD9Ci
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 25, 2026
A medal for his ‘brother’, and hug anecdote
The bonhomie between Netanyahu and PM Modi didn’t end at the airport. Prime Minister Modi was given the rare honour of addressing the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. He’s the first Indian prime minister to be given this honour.
And before Modi could take the podium at Israel’s parliament,
Netanyahu lavished praise on his Indian counterpart, calling the latter not only his friend but more of a brother. “A great leader on the world stage. Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your distinguished delegation. Now, I said, Narendra, my dear friend, these are not just words. I would almost venture to say, more than a friend, a brother.
Netanyahu also shared an anecdote about PM Modi’s warm embrace, saying it’s well-known across the world as the ‘Modi hug’.
“It’s been a wondrous friendship, both personally between the two of us and between our two countries and our peoples. Earlier today, my wife Sara and I greeted you at the airport. And just as you came down the steps, we embraced each other. Prime Minister Modi’s personal embrace is something special. It’s called the Modi hug. It’s well known around the world. And when you hug someone, closely, truly, you know it’s not an act. It’s a real thing. It’s called the Modi hug. So I want to return the hug here to every single one of the Knesset members, and it’s not only an indication of the personal relations, of the personal friendship between us, but it really reflects the warmth of the ties between our two peoples,” the Israeli PM said.
Israel also conferred upon PM Modi the
‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’ in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening relations between India and Israel. The Indian prime minister is the first leader to receive this medal, which is the highest honour of the Israeli parliament.
Modi’s heartfelt address to Knesset
Following Netanyahu’s kind words, PM Modi delivered a rousing speech in the Israeli parliament, which even received a standing ovation.
Affirming India’s close ties to Israel, PM Modi noted that he was born on the same day that India formally recognised Israel and said he is very happy returning to a land to which he has always felt drawn.
He also expressed his heartfelt grief for every life lost in the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. “No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost, including Israeli citizens. Like you, we have a consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards,” said the Indian leader.
Modi also expressed “strong support” for the Gaza peace initiative approved by the UN Security Council in November. It “offers a pathway”, he said, adding India believes “it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region”.
Modi’s car diplomacy continues
After his address to the Knesset, Prime Minister Modi and Netanyahu shared a
car ride to a tech exhibition.
Israel’s Netanyahu shared the image of the two in the car on social media, writing: “Hum saath aage badh rahe hain (We are moving forward together)”.
The car ride, referred to as Modi’s car diplomacy, once again displayed the rapport that both leaders share.
Earlier, PM Modi shared a similar moment with France’s Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Netanyahu’s jacket surprise for Modi
Modi’s Day 1 in Israel culminated with a private dinner with Benjamin Netanyahu. For the occasion, Netanyahu, who is usually seen in suits, was dressed in a stone-coloured Nehru jacket, also popularly known as a Modi jacket. He paired it with a white, long-sleeved kurta-style shirt featuring a simple collar.
हमारे संयुक्त रात्रिभोज से पहले, मैंने अपने मित्र प्रधानमंत्री मोदी को पारंपरिक भारतीय परिधान पहनकर चौंका दिया। 🇮🇱🇮🇳@narendramodi pic.twitter.com/3ElIQeLY97
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 25, 2026
Modi’s Day 2 in Israel
After a successful day one in Israel, PM Modi is geared up for a big day 2 in Israel. He will start the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre, to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. Following this, he will hold bilateral discussions with the Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence.
Modi will also meet again with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for detailed discussions between the two national delegations. Both leaders will oversee the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and issue joint press statements at the Hotel King David.
With inputs from agencies
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