Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Aug 15: Israel's President Isaac Herzog on Friday congratulated President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the country's 80th Independence Day, expressing hope that the friendship between Israel and India would continue to grow stronger.
"On behalf of the State of Israel, I warmly congratulate President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the wonderful people of India on your 80th Independence Day! May we continue to strengthen the beautiful friendship between Israel and India," Herzog wrote on X.
In a warm gesture, the Israeli President also posted his Independence Day greetings in Hindi.
The message comes amid continued engagement between the two countries. Last week, Prime Minister Modi received a phone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders reviewed progress in various areas of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on the prevailing situation in West Asia.
"Received a phone call from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed progress on various aspects of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership, which continues to grow from strength to strength. We also exchanged views on the current situation in West Asia," Modi said in a post on X following the conversation.
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the two leaders reviewed sustained progress in the bilateral partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.
"The two leaders agreed to remain in touch," the PMO said.
In February, Modi, accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior ministers and officials, paid a two-day State Visit to Israel at Netanyahu's invitation.
During the visit, Modi and Netanyahu recalled the Prime Minister's historic visit to Israel in 2017 and Netanyahu's visit to India in 2018, saying the two visits had laid the foundation for a new era of partnership and collaboration.
The two leaders noted the "immense progress" in India-Israel ties across several areas, including emerging technologies, cyber security, agriculture, water management, healthcare, entrepreneurship, defence and security.
Modi and Netanyahu also agreed to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership to a new level — "A Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity."