Netanyahu dials PM Modi, invites him and Captain Smit Machchhar to light torch on Israel’s Independence Day

Israeli Prime Minister PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and invited him to light a torch alongside ldquoheroic Indian pilotrdquo Captain Smit Machchhar on Israelrsquos Independence DayDuring the conversation the two leaders reviewed the sustained momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership between India and Israel They also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and stressed the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the regionReceived 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 netanyahumdash Narendra Modi narendramodi October 22 2026ldquoReceived 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 regionrdquo PM Modi wrote on X after the conversationNetanyahu said PM Modi thanked him for the invitation and expressed Indias readiness to cooperate with Israel in the fight against terrorism mdash Benjamin Netanyahu netanyahu October 22 2026ldquoI 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 longstanding relationship between usrdquo Netanyahu posted on XCaptain Smit Machchhar hailed for braveryCaptain Smit Machchhar sustained severe injuries during an attack by the Omani copilot on a Tel Avivbound flydubai flight on September 30 The copilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft following which Machchhar fought him off and managed to unlock the cockpit doorThis allowed crew members and passengers to enter the cockpit and restrain the attacker averting what could have been a major disaster The flight was carrying more than 170 peopleOn October 3 Netanyahu spoke to Captain Machchhar over the phone and hailed him as a ldquotrue herordquo of the people of India Israel and the entire world He invited the pilot and PM Modi to light a celebratory flame on Israelrsquos Independence DayldquoCaptain I want to invite you and my dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel and youre a hero of the entire worldrdquo Netanyahu told Captain MachchharldquoI wish you a very speedy and complete recoveryrdquo he addedThe Israeli Prime Minister said the honour was usually reserved for Israeli citizens However he expressed confidence that the people of Israel would welcome the Indian pilotldquoBut I think here in this case all the citizens of Israel will embrace you They do now and they will then toordquo Netanyahu saidNetanyahu praises pilotrsquos courageNetanyahu who heard from Machchhar about how the attack unfolded inside the cockpit said he was amazed by the pilots conduct under the circumstancesldquoIm amazed at your courage at your coolness of judgment under impossible conditionsrdquo the Israeli PM said describing Machchhars actions as remarkable and bordering on the miraculousNetanyahu said the pilot had saved more than the lives of those on board the aircraft crediting him with demonstrating the power of courage in the face of violenceldquoYou saved so many souls I think you saved something bigger You saved the spirit of the world to realise that a brave pilot and brave passengers can overcome this evil however threatening however violent Its something that is being justly hailed around the worldrdquo Netanyahu saidldquoYoure a hero of Israel Youre a hero of India Youre a hero of the entire worldrdquo he addedTowards the end of the conversation Netanyahu reiterated his invitation to Machchhar and expressed hope that the pilot would visit Israel soonldquoSo we hope to see you very soon in Israel I look forward to seeing you here again But under the circumstances I think this will be a memorable and historic visitrdquo he saidldquoThank you for everything you didrdquo Netanyahu told the Indian pilotWith IANS inputs