Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Israel on a two-day official visit. Modi was received at the airport by his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Indian PM received a ceremonial welcome at the airport and later posted on X that he was extremely honoured to be in Israel.
“Landed in Israel. I am extremely honoured to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu at the airport. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen the India-Israel friendship,” Modi wrote, summing up the agenda of his visit that comes in the backdrop of the cessation of fighting in Gaza.
Landed in Israel.
I am extremely honoured to be received by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mrs. Netanyahu at the airport. I look forward to engaging in bilateral discussions and fruitful outcomes that strengthen the India-Israel friendship.@netanyahu pic.twitter.com/FYGDv0M3Xy
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2026
This is PM Modi’s first visit to Israel in almost nine years – he had last visited the country in 2017.
As PM Modi landed in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu posted two messages on X welcoming his dear friend.
“Welcome to Israel my dear friend Narendra Modi,” Netanyahu wrote, attaching a video of the Indian PM’s arrival at the airport.
Welcome to Israel my dear friend @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/AnRtceD9Ci
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 25, 2026
In another message, the Israeli PM described it as a great honour to welcome Modi.
“It’s a great honor to welcome you to Israel, Prime Minister Modi,” Netanyahu wrote, adding a message in Hindi, “आपका स्वागत है”.
It’s a great honor to welcome you to Israel, Prime Minister Modi.
आपका स्वागत है
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 25, 2026
During his stay in Israel, PM Modi will hold comprehensive talks with Netanyahu, address the Israeli Knesset, and take part in a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors.
#WATCH | Tel Aviv, Israel: PM Narendra Modi meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv
PM Modi is on a 2-day state visit to Israel
(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/1UW2IRAfmy
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2026
PM Modi, in his pre-departure statement, had called Netanyahu a “dear friend” and highlighted the importance of the visit in advancing bilateral relations: “India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years.”
It may be recalled that India and Israel had elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2017, during PM Modi’s first visit to the country.
PM Modi to become first Indian PM to address Knesset; Israel decks up in Tricolour
The 2017 visit was, in fact, the first ever Indian PM’s visit to Israel.