Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the country's Independence Day celebrations next year.
After a phone conversation between the two leaders, Netanyahu took to X, revealing that he spoke with PM Modi and invited him to light the torch on Israel's Independence Day alongside flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain who braved an attack by his co-pilot and played a key role in saving lives of those aboard the aircraft.
"Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on land and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terrorism together. He also commended the strong and decades-old ties between us," he added.
PM Modi also took to X to acknowledge Netanyahu's invitation for the Independence Day torch-lighting.
"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," he added.
Modi's previous trip to Israel was a state visit from February 25 to 26, when they agreed to elevate the bilateral ties to a new level -- 'A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity'.
Earlier, Israeli President Isaac Herzog had announced that Indian captain Machchhar will receive the State of Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, the country's highest civilian honour. It is not clear if Machchhar will be given the award during the Independence Day ceremony next year.
Machchhar, who was grievously injured in the head with a crash axe in the middle of the flight journey, ensured that the cockpit door was unlocked. This allowed passengers and cabin crew to subdue the co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami.
After Machchhar's heroic act came to light, Netanyahu had earlier called the Indian pilot a "hero of the entire world" for foiling the attacker's attempt to crash the Israel-bound flight.
