A touching embrace at Ben Gurion Airport marked the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative visit to Israel. On Thursday, as he prepared to depart after two eventful days, PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu saw him off with genuine warmth, highlighting the personal chemistry driving official ties.
The airport send-off followed intensive bilateral discussions where Modi and Netanyahu formalized the upgrade of relations to ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ status. Key focus areas included accelerating trade, economic integration, and joint ventures in cutting-edge technologies.
In a post on X, Modi reflected, ‘Our partnership, proven resilient over time, now stands elevated to Special Strategic Partnership. We’ve charted new directions for collaboration, including a dedicated partnership in critical and emerging technologies.’
Trade and investment took center stage, with commitments to streamline business pathways and explore fresh opportunities. Agriculture remained pivotal, with agreements to scale up Centers of Excellence to 100, empowering farmers with Israeli innovations in water management and high-yield farming.
Modi’s lighter side shone through a fun interaction with ‘Fauda’ stars, posting a group selfie: ‘One selfie sufficed – no need for secret missions! Fauda.’ This cultural bridge added a human touch to the diplomatic whirlwind.
Earlier, Modi conferred with President Isaac Herzog, discussing expanded cooperation in education, tech startups, innovation, and transport links. They jointly planted a sapling in the presidential garden as part of a noble environmental initiative and Modi extended a warm invitation for Herzog’s visit to India.
A solemn highlight was Modi’s poignant visit to Yad Vashem, where he paid tribute to Holocaust victims alongside Netanyahu and Dayan. The emotional tour included the evocative ‘Book of Names’ and a reflective moment at the Hall of Remembrance.
Capping the previous day, Modi’s groundbreaking speech to the Knesset resonated with themes of shared innovation and security, etching a milestone in Indo-Israeli history.
As Modi flew home, the visit’s legacy – fortified strategic bonds and people-to-people connections – promises enduring dividends, positioning both nations as formidable global partners.