On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used X to reach out to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to jointly light a ceremonial torch alongside Indian fighter pilot Smit Machchhar during Israel's 75th Independence Day celebrations on 9 May 2026.
Modi replied in a brief statement, thanking Netanyahu for the gesture and reaffirming that both nations collaborate closely in counter‑terrorism efforts, both on the ground and in the skies.
The proposal follows years of military cooperation, including the sale of Israeli drones to India and joint training exercises. Pilot Smit Machchhar, a 32‑year‑old Air Force officer, has served on several Indo‑Israeli joint missions.
The two leaders also confirmed that their respective delegations will attend the Delhi‑Tel Aviv trade summit in June, where they will discuss a $2.5 billion investment package.