- Netanyahu invited PM Modi to Israel's Independence Day ceremony.
- Modi appreciated strong India-Israel ties, discussed counter-terrorism.
- Leaders exchanged views on West Asia peace and stability.
New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he spoke with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and invited him to light a torch together with Indian pilot Smit Machchhar on the Jewish state's Independence Day. In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister also said that PM Modi appreciated the "strong, long-standing ties" between the two countries.
"I spoke with my friend, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and invited him to light a torch - together with a brave Indian pilot - on Israel's Independence Day," Netanyahu said. "Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that, on the ground and in the air, India and Israel are fighting together against terrorism," he added.
मैंने अपने मित्र, भारत के प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी से बात की और उन्हें इज़राइल के स्वतंत्रता दिवस पर वीर भारतीय पायलट के साथ मशाल प्रज्वलित करने के लिए आमंत्रित किया। मोदी ने निमंत्रण के लिए मुझे धन्यवाद दिया और कहा कि ज़मीन पर और हवा में, भारत और इज़राइल आतंकवाद के ख़िलाफ़ मिलकर लड़ रहे हैं। उन्होंने हमारे बीच के मज़बूत और वर्षों पुराने संबंधों की भी सराहना की। 🇮🇱🇮🇳
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 22, 2026
What happened on flydubai flight?
Indian pilot Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on September 30. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain the attacker. The plane later made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar, who has been hailed as a "hero" by Modi and Netanyahu for his courage, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates.
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Besides, the two leaders exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. PM Modi and Netanyahu also welcomed the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
PM Modi Netanyahu discuss West Asia
"The leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's call for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.
Received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership. We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. @netanyahu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 22, 2026
In a post on X, PM Modi said he received a phone call from the Israeli prime minister.
"We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership. We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region," he said.
Prime Minister Modi had made a state visit to Israel from February 25 to 26. The two leaders had then agreed and decided to elevate the Strategic Partnership to a new level -- ''A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity''.
PM Modi had then said that India's security interest was linked to peace and stability in the Middle East, adding that New Delhi fully supported the Gaza Peace Initiative. They also had telephonic talks during the US-Iran and Iran conflict.
(With inputs from PTI)