Netanyahu invites PM Modi, Indian pilot Smit Machchhar to light torch at Israel Independence Day
Synopsis
Israeli PM Netanyahu has invited PM Modi to a ceremony almost no foreign leader has ever been asked to join — lighting a torch at Israel's Independence Day — alongside Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who single-handedly fought off a cockpit attacker on a Tel Aviv-bound flight carrying over 170 people. The invitation, made during a direct phone call on 22 October, marks one of the most striking personal gestures in India-Israel diplomatic history.
Key Takeaways
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called PM Narendra Modi on 22 October 2026 and invited him to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day .
The joint invitation also covers Captain Smit Machchhar , the Indian pilot who thwarted an attempted cockpit takeover on a Tel Aviv -bound flydubai flight on 30 September .
The flight carried more than 170 people ; Machchhar's intervention is credited with averting a major disaster.
Netanyahu said the torch-lighting honour is usually reserved for Israeli citizens but made an exception, calling Machchhar 'a hero of Israel, India, and the entire world.' Both leaders also reviewed India-Israel bilateral ties and discussed the need to restore peace and stability in West Asia .
No confirmed date for the visit has been announced; Captain Machchhar is still recovering from injuries sustained during the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, 22 October 2026, held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended a formal invitation for Modi to light a torch alongside Captain Smit Machchhar — hailed as a 'heroic Indian pilot' — at Israel's Independence Day celebrations. The call also covered the state of India-Israel bilateral ties and the security situation in West Asia.
What Modi and Netanyahu Discussed
During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed the 'sustained momentum' in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership. Modi also shared India's views on recent developments in the region, underlining the urgent need for peace and stability in West Asia.
'Received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership. We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,' PM Modi wrote on X following the call.
Netanyahu's Invitation and Words on Modi
Netanyahu confirmed the invitation in his own post on X, describing Modi as a 'friend' and quoting the Indian Prime Minister as saying that 'on the ground and in the air, India and Israel fight terrorism together.'
'I spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light a torch together with the heroic Indian pilot on the Independence Day of the State of Israel. Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on the ground and in the air, India and Israel fight terrorism together. He expressed his appreciation for the courageous and long-standing relationship between us,' Netanyahu posted on X.
Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar
Captain Smit Machchhar is the Indian pilot who sustained severe injuries on 30 September after an Omani co-pilot allegedly attempted to seize control of a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight. Machchhar fought off the attacker and managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to enter and physically restrain the co-pilot. The flight was carrying more than 170 people, and the intervention is widely credited with averting a catastrophe.
On 3 October, Netanyahu personally called Captain Machchhar, calling him a 'true hero' and extending the initial invitation to both the pilot and Modi to light a celebratory flame at Israel's next Independence Day. 'You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you're a hero of the entire world,' Netanyahu told the Captain at the time.
An Honour Rarely Extended to Non-Citizens
Netanyahu noted that the torch-lighting honour at Israel's Independence Day is typically reserved for Israeli citizens. He made an explicit exception, saying, 'I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now and they will then too.' He described Machchhar's conduct as 'remarkable' and said it 'bordered on the miraculous,' adding that the pilot had saved 'something bigger' than the lives on board — namely, the collective spirit to stand against violence and terror.
Notably, this marks one of the most visible public gestures of India-Israel solidarity in recent years, coming at a time when bilateral defence and counter-terrorism cooperation has been on an upward trajectory. The invitation to a sitting Indian Prime Minister to participate in a national ceremony of this significance is historically uncommon.
What Comes Next
No date for Israel's next Independence Day visit has been confirmed publicly. Captain Machchhar is still recovering from the injuries sustained during the incident. Netanyahu expressed hope for a 'speedy and complete recovery' and said the visit, when it happens, would be 'memorable and historic.' The development is expected to add fresh momentum to India-Israel diplomatic engagement in the months ahead.
Point of View
Making this a rare symbolic elevation of India-Israel ties beyond the usual joint-statement language. Netanyahu's framing — 'on the ground and in the air, India and Israel fight terrorism together' — is a clear political signal, amplifying counter-terrorism as the load-bearing pillar of the relationship at a moment when West Asia remains volatile. What is easy to overlook is how much of this diplomatic lift rests on one individual: Captain Machchhar's personal courage has given both governments a shared hero narrative that no summit communiqué could manufacture. Whether Modi accepts and visits will be the real test of how far New Delhi is willing to publicly align itself with Jerusalem at this particular moment in the region's history.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Netanyahu invite PM Modi to Israel's Independence Day?
Netanyahu invited PM Modi to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony alongside Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, as a mark of honour for Machchhar's bravery in foiling a cockpit attack on a Tel Aviv-bound flight. The invitation was extended during a phone call on 22 October 2026 and is described as a historically rare gesture for a non-Israeli.
Who is Captain Smit Machchhar and what did he do?
Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot who fought off an Omani co-pilot who allegedly attempted to seize control of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv on 30 September. Despite sustaining severe injuries, Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker and saving over 170 people on board.
What else did Modi and Netanyahu discuss during the call?
Beyond the Independence Day invitation, the two leaders reviewed the momentum in India-Israel bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership. They also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and stressed the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region.
Has PM Modi confirmed he will attend Israel's Independence Day?
No formal confirmation has been made public. PM Modi acknowledged the invitation warmly, and Netanyahu expressed hope for a 'memorable and historic visit,' but no date has been announced. Captain Machchhar is also still recovering from injuries sustained during the cockpit incident.
How significant is the torch-lighting honour at Israel's Independence Day?
The torch-lighting ceremony at Israel's Independence Day is traditionally reserved for Israeli citizens who have made exceptional contributions to the nation. Netanyahu explicitly noted this precedent but said he was making an exception for Captain Machchhar, calling the honour one that 'all citizens of Israel will embrace.'
