Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a red carpet welcome at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, as the former began his two-day state visit there on Wednesday.
PM Modi, on his first visit to Israel in nine years, is expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defence at a time when Israel is seeking to increase its military exports.
Upon his arrival in Israel, Prime Minister Modi was warmly embraced by Netanyahu, followed by a ceremonial welcome by the Israeli military, which underscoring the strong friendship and close ties between the two nations.
WATCH LIVE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel, in an official ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport. 🇮🇱🇮🇳https://t.co/FhaaOSpn6a— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM)February 25, 2026
“Landed in Israel. I am extremely honoured to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu at the airport. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen the India-Israel friendship," said PM Modi on X.
Landed in Israel.I am extremely honoured to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu at the airport. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen the India-Israel [email protected]/FYGDv0M3Xy
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)February 25, 2026
PM Modi will address the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) at 8 pm, and also visit a technology and innovation exhibit later in the evening, before joining Netanyahu for a private dinner. On Thursday, PM Modi will pay a visit to Yad Vashem at 12:15 pm — Israel’s official memorial, established in 1953, to commemorate the six million Jews murdered by Nazis.
India and Israel have grown significantly closer under the Modi government, a shift underscored by PM Narendra Modi’s landmark 2017 visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister.
During the PM’s visit, both sides agreed to expand cooperation across various areas including technology, defence, innovation, water management, agriculture, cybersecurity and space research, with Modi describing the relationship as “special". In 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu travelled to New Delhi, reinforcing the strategic bond between the two nations.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
