Diplomatic Outreach in Hindi and Hebrew

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in Israel's upcoming Independence Day celebrations. In a social media post released in both Hindi and Hebrew, Netanyahu extended the invitation for Modi to light a ceremonial torch alongside an Indian pilot hailed for extraordinary civilian bravery.

The diplomatic gesture underscores the deep bilateral ties between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. According to Netanyahu, PM Modi acknowledged the invitation and emphasized that both nations stand united against terrorism, cooperating closely across both terrestrial and aerial domains.

Honoring an Indian Hero

The invitation specifically includes Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot who recently averted a potential mid-air disaster. Machchhar fought off an active threat from his co-pilot inside the cockpit of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight carrying 174 passengers on September 30. Despite sustaining serious injuries during the struggle, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the co-pilot before the aircraft safely executed an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Following the incident, Israeli President Isaac Herzog invited Machchhar to Israel to bestow the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism. Machchhar is currently recuperating at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, receiving widespread international praise for his exceptional courage.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Bilateral relations between India and Israel have expanded significantly over the past decade. PM Modi undertook a landmark visit to Israel in February, marking his second visit in nine years following his historic July 2017 trip to Tel Aviv, which officially elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. The latest exchange highlights the ongoing security cooperation and mutual diplomatic appreciation between the two nations.