Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the escalating situation in West Asia and stressed the urgent need to restore peace and stability during a telephone conversation.
Modi reiterated India’s support for dialogue and diplomacy, while the two leaders reviewed the progress of their bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Israel special strategic partnership.
In a social media post, Modi said the leaders exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and emphasised the importance of restoring regional stability. An Indian government statement also reiterated New Delhi’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward.
Netanyahu separately announced that he had invited Modi to participate in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations in May 2027 alongside Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates after being injured while preventing an alleged hijacking attempt aboard a passenger aircraft.
Netanyahu said Modi had thanked him for the invitation and expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship between the two countries. However, the invitation was not mentioned in the Indian government’s official readout of the conversation or Modi’s social media post.
The invitation follows a separate offer from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who invited Machchhar to visit Israel to receive the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism in recognition of his bravery.
Machchhar was seriously injured on September 30 while attempting to stop his Omani co-pilot from allegedly hijacking a Flydubai flight carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He sustained head and neck injuries in an axe attack but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and passengers to overpower the co-pilot. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Modi and Netanyahu have both praised Machchhar’s actions.
The diplomatic conversation comes amid heightened regional tensions and ahead of Israel’s general election scheduled for October 27. Observers cited in reports suggested that Netanyahu’s public announcement of the invitation could also be linked to the domestic political context.
The discussion underscores the continued engagement between India and Israel on regional security and bilateral cooperation, alongside India’s stated emphasis on diplomatic efforts to restore peace in West Asia.
