Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi on Thursday congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on the agreement reached to return the 48 hostages held by Hamas and end the war in the Gaza Strip.
Modi said that Netanyahu “has always been a close friend, and that the friendship between them will remain steadfast,” according to a readout of the call from Jerusalem.
Netanyahu thanked Modi “for his support for the State of Israel, and the two agreed to continue working in close cooperation,” the statement added.
Modi tweeted that he had praised “the progress made” under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, welcoming the deal “on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
“Terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world,” Modi said.
In August, Modi and Netanyahu exchanged warm wishes on the occasion of India’s 78th Independence Day.
The previous month, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, director general of the Israel Ministry of Defense, paid a working visit to India, aiming to build on recent operational successes and strengthen the growing defense partnership between the two nations.
Baram met with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on July 23, where he presented insights into Israel’s evolving regional challenges and advanced operational capabilities.
Jerusalem and New Delhi have long-standing defense ties, particularly in the fields of surveillance, missile systems and cyber capabilities.
