Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and expressed appreciation for the strong relationship between India and Israel following Modi’s message on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Modi had on September 12 extended greetings to Netanyahu, the people of Israel and Jewish communities around the world, wishing them peace, hope, good health and continued progress. The message was issued as India hosted the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
Responding to Modi’s message, Netanyahu thanked the Indian Prime Minister and described the relationship between the two countries as an unprecedented partnership. He also praised Modi’s leadership and referred to the longstanding friendship between the two nations. Netanyahu said the two countries had transformed ties between their ancient civilisations into a partnership of historic significance and indicated that he and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, looked forward to meeting Modi again.
The exchange comes as India-Israel relations continue to expand across strategic and diplomatic areas. Defence cooperation remains an important component of the relationship, alongside technology, innovation, trade and security cooperation. The two countries have increasingly positioned their partnership around shared interests in advanced technology, national security and economic development.
The latest diplomatic exchange also comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in West Asia. During the BRICS summit, India supported calls for restraint, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, while emphasising dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred route toward lasting peace and stability. The New Delhi Declaration also addressed concerns related to regional conflicts, global trade and energy flows.
The public exchange between Modi and Netanyahu highlights the political importance both sides continue to attach to their bilateral relationship. While the two countries maintain cooperation across multiple sectors, their engagement has gained particular significance in the areas of defence, security and emerging technologies.
With both governments continuing to pursue closer strategic cooperation, the latest remarks from Netanyahu underline the increasingly prominent role of India-Israel relations in the wider geopolitical landscape.