Netanyahu Greets Modi in Traditional Indian Attire at Tel Aviv Dinner
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a dinner engagement on Wednesday wearing traditional Indian attire, a gesture that underscored the personal warmth between the two leaders during Modi’s state visit.
Netanyahu was seen in a light grey Nehru jacket as he greeted Modi, smiling as they exchanged pleasantries and posed for photographs ahead of the dinner. In a video shared by the Israeli prime minister on social media, Modi is heard acknowledging the gesture, saying, “It’s an Indian dress.”
Sharing the moment in Hindi, Netanyahu wrote that he had surprised his “friend” by wearing traditional Indian clothing before their joint dinner.
The visit’s official schedule includes a joint trip to Yad Vashem on Thursday, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting at the King David Hotel. The talks are expected to include a comprehensive review of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, with a focus on strengthening cooperation in defense, science and technology, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on key regional and global issues.
Several memoranda of understanding covering economic, security, and diplomatic areas are slated to be signed during the visit. After the signing ceremony, Modi and Netanyahu are expected to deliver joint statements to the media outlining the outcomes of their discussions.
India is also moving toward finalizing what officials have described as a landmark strategic partnership with Israel to acquire Iron Dome technology. The proposed arrangement goes beyond a standard procurement and is envisioned as part of India’s indigenous “Mission Sudarshan Chakra,” also known as Project Kusha. Israel has formally offered to transfer Iron Dome technology under the “Make in India” initiative, allowing for local production and integration into a multi-layered air defense system designed to counter short-range rockets, mortars, and drone swarms.
In addition, India has expressed interest in Israel’s newer Iron Beam laser-based system, which is viewed as a cost-effective, “light-speed” response to low-cost aerial threats. The proposed collaboration aims to protect Indian cities and critical infrastructure while complementing long-range platforms such as the S-400, with the broader objective of building a comprehensive national security shield by 2030.
During his visit, Modi is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Earlier on Wednesday, Modi received a standing ovation at the Knesset shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv for his two-day visit. He became the first Indian prime minister to address the Israeli Parliament, marking his second visit to the country in a decade following his 2017 trip. Modi was also conferred the Medal of the Knesset.
In a post on social media, he said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knesset. I accept it with humility and gratitude. This honour is not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel. It reflects the shared values that guide our two nations,” thanking the Israeli Parliament for the recognition. (Source: IANS)
