Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2026. Photo: @netanyahu X via ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday held an “excellent” meeting during which they discussed a wide range of issues aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and key developments in the region.
PM Modi in Israel live
Mr Modi, who is visiting Israel for the second time in nine years, was received by Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara at the airport. The Prime Minister received a red carpet welcome and a guard of honor at Ben Gurion International Airport.
After the welcoming ceremony, the two leaders had a private meeting at the airport.
“I had a great meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I expressed my gratitude to him for the warm welcome earlier in the day. It is a pleasure to be back in Israel after 9 years,” Mr. Modi said in a post on ‘X’.
“We discussed a wide range of topics aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Sectors like technology, water management, agriculture, talent partnerships and others offer huge scope for close cooperation. We also discussed key developments in the region,” he said.
Mr Modi had earlier said he looked forward to “engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that will strengthen India-Israel friendship”.
The prime minister said he was “deeply touched by the warm welcome of my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu. May the India-Israel friendship continue to soar higher!”
Mr Netanyahu said he and Mr Modi shared “a close personal relationship, they speak often and I believe the deep friendship between us reflects strongly on the ties between our two countries.”
“Tomorrow we will visit Yad Vashem and then hold another meeting with our teams during which we will sign a series of agreements in the economic, security and diplomatic spheres that further advance the cooperation between Israel and India,” he added.
When Mr. Modi arrived at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, he was greeted by members of the Indian community, which included Jews of Indian origin, students, professionals and workers.
Indian and Israeli artists performed colorful cultural performances, including a traditional Thiruvathira dance recital from Kerala, Israel’s Hava Nagila folk dance and Rajasthan’s Ghoomer. Specially talented singers also performed on this occasion.
Mr Modi’s visit has taken on added significance as it comes at a time of continued tensions in the Middle East, including worsening relations between the US and Iran.
The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of a strategic partnership during his first visit to the country in July 2017.
The last few years have seen a rise in India-Israel ties, including in areas such as defence, scientific research, cyber security and innovation.
Published – 25 Feb 2026 21:27 IST
