'Thank you, my friend': PM Modi thanks Netanyahu, says India and Israel share special relationship

PM Narendra Modi

• PM Modi to visit Israel on February 25 for key talks
• Visit aims to boost defence, tech, and economic cooperation
• India, Israel to sign MoU on security and missile defence

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday acknowledging strong ties between India and Israel said he is looking forward to the discussions during his upcoming visit from February 25.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for calling his visit to Israel ‘historic' and emphasising that the ‘bond between Israel and India is a powerful alliance’

"Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress. Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visit," tweeted PM Modi.

Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to… https://t.co/snGra7RB3g

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 22, 2026

"On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will arrive here; he will deliver a speech in the Knesset," Netanyahu said on Sunday at the opening of a cabinet meeting, referring to Israel's parliament. Netanyahu said the growing Israel-India partnership would form part of a broader regional alliance aimed at confronting shared “radical” adversaries.

Netanyahu said the visit will enhance collaboration in high-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, alongside economic, diplomatic, and security ties. He also outlined plans for a “hexagon of alliances” involving India, Greece, Cyprus, and other unnamed Arab, African, and Asian countries to counter both radical Shiite and Sunni axes.

PM Modi will visit Israel for two days starting February 25. The visit is expected to deepen strategic and defence partnerships, including the signing of an MoU on security cooperation. India aims to jointly develop advanced anti-ballistic missile systems under Mission Sudershan to protect against long-range missile threats, leveraging Israel’s expertise in layered missile defence.

Beyond defence, the visit is expected to deepen cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, water management, and emerging fields such as quantum computing.