Prime Minister Narendra Modi's habit of greeting international counterparts with a firm embrace has once again captured attention abroad, this time following glowing remarks from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who referred to the gesture as the celebrated “Modi hug”.
Addressing the Knesset, Netanyahu said, “Earlier today, my wife Sara and I greeted you at the airport. And just as you came down the steps, we embraced each other. Prime Minister Modi's personal embrace is something special. It's called the Modi hug. It's well known around the world. And when you hug someone, closely, truly, you know it's not an act. It's a real thing. It's called the Modi hug."
“So I want to return the hug here to every single one of the Knesset members, and it's not only an indication of the personal relations, of the personal friendship between us, but it really reflects the warmth of the tie between our two peoples,” he added.
He called India a “gigantic power” and the alliance between the two countries an “enormous multiplier” for both.
"India is a gigantic power of almost one and a half billion people. Israel is somewhat smaller, but Israel is gigantic too. I want to say that the alliance between us is an enormous multiplier of our individual powers, an enormous multiplier. It's a multiplier of the spirit and a multiplier of deeds and capabilities," the Israeli PM said.
The Israeli leader went on to thank New Delhi for its firm and consistent support following the deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel, which left over a 1,000 people dead.
"You stood next to Israel, you stood by Israel, you stood for Israel, you stood for the truth. Thank you, my friend,” Netanyahu told PM Modi.
“It's been a wondrous friendship, both personally, between the two of us, and between our two countries and our two peoples,” Netanyahu added.
Calling Israel a “protective wall against barbarism,” PM Modi said, “I carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India for every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.”
Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset, presented PM Modi with the newly instituted Medal of the Knesset, recognising his “significant contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people”.
“The awarding of the decoration to Prime Minister Modi expresses our deep appreciation for his work to create a strategic alliance between Israel and India. His policy is an expression of a courageous, consistent and sincere friendship with the State of Israel, and of a firm stand by its side even in complex and challenging times,” Ohana said.
PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Israel from Feb. 25 to 26.
“The two leaders will review the significant progress made in India-Israel Strategic Partnership, and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people to people exchanges. The leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” as per India's Ministry of External Affairs.
Also Read: 'Speaker Of The Knesset Medal': PM Modi Receives Israel's Top Parliamentary Honour
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