‘I owe India a great personal debt’: Netanyahu recalls first date with wife Sara at Indian restaurant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara escort Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the welcoming ceremony outside the Knesset, the Parliament, in Jerusalem on February 25, 2026. Modi arrived in Israel on February 25 for a two-day visit aimed at deepening ties with a key trade and defence partner, a trip that has drawn criticism at home. (Photo by DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)

Israeli PM Netanyahu shared he met his wife at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv, highlighting cultural ties with India. During Modi's visit, both leaders reaffirmed defence cooperation and Modi addressed Israel's parliament, receiving its highest legislative honor.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday shared a personal anecdote that blended diplomacy with nostalgia, saying he owes India “a great personal debt” because he first met his wife Sara at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv, adding that the “food was unbelievable”.

Speaking at a joint press statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Netanyahu said, “I owe 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.”

“Sara was introduced to it for the first time, so it was a great first date not only with the food, the date was excellent too…” he added.

#WATCH | Jerusalem, Israel: Speaking candidly at the joint press statement with PM Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says, "...I owe 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… pic.twitter.com/egTANLKbHL

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026

Netanyahu identified the restaurant as being run by Reena Pushkarna, a celebrated Indian-origin chef and restaurateur widely known as Israel’s “Curry Queen”. Pushkarna is credited with introducing authentic Indian cuisine to Israel and is regarded as an important cultural bridge between the two countries. She also led the culinary preparations during Modi’s two-day state visit to Israel.

The Israeli prime minister had earlier recalled the same memory when he hosted Modi in July 2017, remarking at the time that the “food was great”.

Prime Minister Modi began his two-day official visit to Israel by meeting Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. In a warm gesture, Netanyahu and his wife personally welcomed Modi at the airport and accorded him a special guard of honour.

During the visit, the two leaders held delegation-level talks and oversaw the exchange of memoranda of understanding, followed by joint media statements. India and Israel reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defence cooperation, with a focus on joint development and joint production of military hardware under technology transfer frameworks.

In his statement, Modi said India’s security interests are closely linked to peace and stability in the Middle East, and added that New Delhi fully supports the Gaza Peace Initiative.

On Wednesday, Modi addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem, becoming the first Indian prime minister to speak before the Israeli parliament. He was also conferred with the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal”, the highest honour awarded by the legislature.

Upon his arrival at the Knesset, Modi was received by Speaker Amir Ohana and accorded a ceremonial welcome, marking another milestone in the growing partnership between India and Israel.