'You've Transformed India': Netanyahu's Special Video Message For PM Modi On Completion Of 12-Year Milestone

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 23:29 IST

In what can be defined as a turning point on India's stance on Israel, Narendra Modi became the first sitting Prime Minister to visit Jerusalem in 2017

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a special video message for his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, as the latter marked the completion of 12 consecutive years in office.

Addressing PM Modi as a “dear friend", Netanyahu took to ‘X’ and said: “Prime Minister Modi, my dear friend in India. Congratulations on becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. You’ve transformed India. You’ve strengthened the bond between India and Israel. And you’ve earned the admiration of millions and millions from around the world."

The Israeli Prime Minister hailed the ties between Israel and India, saying the relations had “never been stronger".

“You’ve helped 250 million Indians escape poverty. Our friendship and the bond between our great nations have never been stronger. I look forward to seeing you again soon to continue working together with you in the years ahead".

“We say, ‘Maze Tov’, good luck, my good friend and good luck to India, under your leadership", he said.

India-Israel Ties Under Modi

In what can be defined as a turning point on India’s stance on Israel, Narendra Modi became the first sitting Prime Minister to visit Jerusalem in 2017, since New Delhi established diplomatic relations with the country in 1992.

In February 2026, PM Modi marked his second trip to Israel, elevating the partnership to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity".

He also became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, and was conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the highest parliamentary honour in Israel.

PM Modi Marks 12-Year Milestone

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the longest-serving elected head of government, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru’s record.

Several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, congratulated PM Modi on the successful completion of 12 years in office.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister addressed a key conclave of the NDA leaders at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and underlined the achievements of the government over the past 12 years.

“Serving Mother India for such a long time, having the privilege of serving her, is possible only with God’s special grace. And for me, the people are the embodiment of God. And that is why I have always viewed this service as a spiritual practice. This spiritual practice has never been solitary; this is a collective ‘yagya’, in which all of you and many other colleagues have contributed their services with a sense of duty," he said.

News world 'You've Transformed India': Netanyahu's Special Video Message For PM Modi On Completion Of 12-Year Milestone

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