Netanyahu thanks PM Modi after phone call, vows stronger India-Israel bond
Jerusalem, Aug 7
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the two leaders reviewed progress in various aspects of partnership on Thursday.
"Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Together we continue to strengthen the bond between Israel and India," Netanyahu wrote on X, responding to PM Modi's post written in Hebrew regarding the conversation between the leaders.
During the phone call on Thursday evening, both leaders reviewed progress on various aspects of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership and also discussed the current situation in West Asia.
PM Modi posted on X: "Received a phone call from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed progress on various aspects of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership which continues to grow from strength to strength. We also exchanged views on the current situation in West Asia."
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), during their conversation the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.
"The two leaders agreed to remain in touch," the PMO stated.
In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by a high‑level delegation comprising senior ministers and officials, paid a two‑day State Visit to Israel on the invitation of Netanyahu.
During the visit, both leaders recalled PM Modi's historic visit to Israel in 2017 and Netanyahu's visit to India in 2018, which together laid the foundation for a new era of partnership and collaboration.
They noted the immense progress made in the India-Israel bilateral relationship across diverse domains, including emerging technologies, cyber, agriculture, water management, health, entrepreneurship, defence and security.
PM Modi and Netanyahu also agreed to elevate the Strategic Partnership to a new level - "A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity."
— IANS
Reader Comments
The collaboration in agriculture and water management has really benefited Indian farmers. Israeli drip irrigation technology is helping us save water in drought-prone areas. This partnership is more than just defence - it's about practical solutions for our people.
While I appreciate the strategic ties, I hope India remains careful about its independent foreign policy. We should not get dragged into regional conflicts. Our focus should be on trade, technology, and people-to-people connections, not picking sides in West Asia.
Interesting to see India and Israel strengthening ties. As someone who follows global politics, I think India's ability to maintain relationships with both Israel and Arab nations shows smart diplomacy. It's a win-win approach.
The defence cooperation with Israel has been crucial for our national security. Their technology and expertise have helped modernise our armed forces. But I also want to see more focus on trade agreements that benefit small Indian businesses. Balance is key!
"Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity" - that's a great framework. India has so much to learn from Israel's startup ecosystem, and Israel can benefit from India's market scale. Let's hope this partnership delivers concrete results for both nations.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.