New Delhi Bureau
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke over the phone on Thursday, reviewing the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations and reaffirming their shared commitment to further strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Following the conversation, the Israeli premier extended a special invitation to PM Modi — to light the ceremonial torch on Israel’s Independence Day together with Indian pilot Smit Machchhar.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that the two leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. During the call, PM Modi reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.
What the leaders discussed
“The two leaders welcomed the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The leaders also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,” the PMO statement said.
PM Modi wrote on X: “Received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership. We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region.”
Netanyahu also posted on X: “I spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside a brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day. Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on land and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terrorism together. He expressed his appreciation for the courageous and long-standing relationship between us.”
Who is pilot Smit Machchhar
Smit Machchhar is a flydubai captain who emerged as a hero during an alleged violent incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. According to reports, his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit with a crash axe. Machchhar sustained serious head injuries but, despite being hurt, kept trying to reach and open the cockpit door so others could intervene.
Reports say his actions gave passengers and cabin crew the chance to overpower the attacker. Two reserve pilots, travelling in civilian clothes as passengers, then took control of the cockpit and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia — saving the lives of everyone on board. The incident is under investigation by the relevant authorities.
After the incident, Netanyahu had spoken to Machchhar and called him a “true hero”. Israeli President Isaac Herzog had also announced that Machchhar would receive the State of Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, the country’s highest civilian honour.
Why the torch invitation matters
The torch-lighting ceremony on Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha’atzmaut) is one of the country’s most prestigious national events, honouring individuals who have shown extraordinary courage or contribution across society. The 2027 ceremony is expected in May.
Netanyahu had first announced the invitation to Machchhar earlier this month, and has now extended it to PM Modi as well. Reports note that the final selection of torch-lighters remains subject to Israel’s established process.
Backdrop: the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership
India-Israel ties have deepened steadily over the past decade. During PM Modi’s state visit to Israel on February 25-26, 2026, the two sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a new level — a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity”.
Cooperation spans defence, counter-terrorism, agricultural technology, water management, innovation and startups. India’s consistent call for peace and stability in West Asia, alongside a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, has been a cornerstone of the partnership.
What comes next
PM Modi’s message — that “on land and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terrorism together” — underlines the direction of the relationship. Amid continued tensions in West Asia, India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy, a position restated in this call.
The coming months will be watched for bilateral visits and new defence and technology agreements. A possible appearance by PM Modi and pilot Machchhar at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony would also take the people-to-people connect between the two nations to new heights.
डिस्क्लेमर: यह खबर उपलब्ध स्रोतों और सत्यापन के आधार पर तैयार की गई है। किसी तथ्य में त्रुटि होने पर सुधार प्रकाशित किया जाएगा।
