Netanyahu says he owes India a ‘great personal debt’, hails PM Modi's 'amazing visit'

PM Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel to further consolidate the India-Israel Strategic Partnership

Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Israel, his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he owes India a “great personal debt”.

"When I met Sara (his wife) for the first time, I think our first or second date was in an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv. It was Reena Pushkarna," said Netanyahu  at the joint press statement with PM Modi.

PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel to further consolidate the India-Israel Strategic Partnership.

While addressing  joint press meet with PM Modi, Netanyahu said, "Not a dry eye left in Israel."

India and Israel signed a series of economic, security and diplomatic agreements after the conclusion of the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

" Shalom! I thank PM Netanyahu for extending a warm welcome to me and my delegation. Nine years ago, I got the opportunity to visit Israel for the first time. After 9 years, visiting Israel again is a moment of pride for me. Yesterday, I was awarded the 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal'. I dedicate this award to 140 crore Indians and the India-Israel friendship," he said.

Ahead of PM Modi’s address, Israeli PM Netanyahu hailed his second visit to Israel. “This is an amazing visit, an amazing conclusion to an amazing visit. It was short but extraordinarily productive and also extraordinarily moving. I think there wasn’t a dry eye left in Israel after your moving statement yesterday in the Knesset," Netanyahu said at the press meet.

Speaking at the joint press statement, Netanyahu also praised India’s governance. “You have an amazingly efficient government," he said.

He added that the “meeting of minds and hearts” between the two leaders would continue through the long-awaited G2G engagement, further enhancing the significant mutual benefits both nations can achieve together.

On Wednesday, PM Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem and became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli parliament. He was also was conferred with the highest honour of the Knesset — “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” — by the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday.

Upon his arrival at the Knesset, the Prime Minister was received by the Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana and accorded a ceremonial welcome.