A touching display of international friendship unfolded at Ben Gurion Airport where Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed India’s Narendra Modi with open arms. Amidst a ceremonial fanfare, the duo held a significant tete-a-tete right in the airport premises, ahead of Modi’s address to Israel’s parliament.
Footage released by Netanyahu’s office shows the leaders sharing a robust handshake, with Netanyahu praising, ‘This is true friendship, and PM Modi is a great leader.’ Modi’s laughter lit up the scene, reflecting genuine rapport.
The jovial atmosphere peaked when Sara Netanyahu greeted the Indian PM. Noticing the saffron harmony between Modi’s pocket square and her attire, Netanyahu quipped about the serendipitous color coordination, drawing chuckles all around.
Celebrating the occasion on social media, Netanyahu posted in Hindi: ‘Welcome to Israel.’ This visit stems from his personal invite, kicking off a whirlwind two-day itinerary.
From Knesset speeches to multiple engagements, the schedule intensifies. Early Thursday, they head to Yad Vashem, then a high-stakes meeting at King David Hotel at 11 AM. Expect protocol exchanges of agreements and a press briefing to cap it off.
Modi’s return to Israel after his 2017 landmark tour signals sustained momentum in bilateral relations, from security pacts to tech ventures, fortifying a strategic partnership.