Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, 7 August publicly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a phone call the previous evening, reaffirming the two nations' commitment to deepening the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership. The exchange underscores the growing warmth between New Delhi and Jerusalem at a time of heightened tensions across West Asia.

What Was Said

Netanyahu posted on X: 'Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Together we continue to strengthen the bond between Israel and India.' The message was a direct response to Modi's own post — notably written in Hebrew — describing their conversation. Modi wrote: '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.'

Key Developments from the Call

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries. The two leaders also discussed the current situation in West Asia, a region under significant geopolitical stress. 'The two leaders agreed to remain in touch,' the PMO stated.

Context: A Relationship Built Over Years

The call builds on a trajectory of high-level engagement. In February, Modi — accompanied by a senior ministerial delegation — undertook a two-day State Visit to Israel at Netanyahu's invitation. During that visit, both sides recalled Modi's landmark trip to Israel in 2017 — the first by an Indian Prime Minister — and Netanyahu's reciprocal visit to India in 2018, which together laid the groundwork for a new era of partnership.

The two nations have since recorded significant progress across emerging technologies, cyber security, agriculture, water management, health, entrepreneurship, defence, and security. That February visit also saw the partnership formally elevated to a 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity' — a designation that signals deeper institutional ties.

Why It Matters

Modi's decision to post in Hebrew is a deliberate diplomatic signal — rare for an Indian Prime Minister — and reflects the personal rapport the two leaders have cultivated. This is not a routine diplomatic courtesy call; it comes against the backdrop of an evolving and volatile West Asian situation where India has calibrated its position carefully, maintaining ties with multiple regional actors. The reaffirmation of the Special Strategic Partnership at this juncture signals that New Delhi is not stepping back from its engagement with Tel Aviv despite regional pressures.

As both governments look to operationalise the elevated partnership framework, the next phase will likely focus on translating the broad sectoral commitments — particularly in defence and technology — into concrete deliverables.