CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: New Delhi/Jerusalem. Ahead of the general election scheduled in Israel on October 27, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Thursday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the conversation, he invited Modi to light a torch with Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar at Israel’s upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Netanyahu shared details of the conversation on social media and also referred to the long-standing strong ties between India and Israel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared information about the phone conversation. He said the two leaders reviewed the ongoing progress in bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the India-Israel partnership. The current situation in West Asia was also discussed during the conversation. Prime Minister Modi stressed the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region.
The conversation between the two leaders took place at a time when the election atmosphere in Israel is heated and the continuing conflict in West Asia remains a matter of international concern.
Netanyahu also praised the bravery of Captain Smit Machhar and invited him to attend Israel’s Independence Day celebrations. On September 30, 2026, during an alleged attack by the co-pilot in the cockpit of a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Smit Machhar confronted him. He was injured in the incident. There were 174 passengers on board the aircraft.
According to reports, his actions helped the passengers and crew members on the aircraft bring the situation under control. Israeli President Isaac Herzog had also earlier invited him to honour him for civilian bravery.
Netanyahu’s conversation with Modi came at a time when the electoral contest in Israel is being seen as significant for his political position. However, the invitation to light the torch is linked to India-Israel relations and recognition of the Indian pilot’s bravery. The selection of torch-lighters for Israel’s Independence Day celebrations is made under a prescribed government process, so Netanyahu’s invitation by itself does not confirm final official selection.
India and Israel’s relations were given the status of a strategic partnership in July 2017. The two countries have continued cooperation in various sectors, including defence, technology, agriculture and security. The latest conversation indicates that both governments intend to take this partnership forward and continue dialogue on the issue of regional peace.
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