PM Modi Honoured with Speaker of the Knesset Medal, Marks New High in India–Israel Strategic Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the prestigious Speaker of the Knesset Medal during his visit to Israel, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Israel. The Indian Prime Minister is the first global leader to receive this honour, which is the highest parliamentary award of the Knesset, Israel’s unicameral legislature.

The medal was presented by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana at a ceremonial event held at the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, following Prime Minister Modi’s address to Israeli lawmakers. The award acknowledged his personal leadership and sustained efforts in deepening bilateral relations across multiple sectors.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi held a tête-à-tête meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. The two leaders undertook a comprehensive review of India–Israel relations and discussed expanding cooperation in key areas including water management, agriculture, defence, technology, innovation and cybersecurity. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening collaboration in sectors critical to economic growth and security.

India–Israel relations were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit to Israel in July 2017—the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister. That visit marked a turning point, ushering in a new phase of engagement characterised by intensified diplomatic exchanges, expanding defence cooperation, and growing collaboration in science, space and counter-terrorism. Since then, bilateral ties have continued to gain momentum, reflecting shared democratic values and converging security interests.

This visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s second trip to Israel in nine years and underscores the growing depth and maturity of the relationship. Over the past decade, cooperation between the two countries has steadily expanded, particularly in defence technology, agriculture innovation, water conservation and start-up ecosystems.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi is among a rare group of world leaders to have received top civilian honours from both Israel and Palestine. In 2018, he was awarded the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian honour for foreign dignitaries, reflecting India’s balanced and principled approach to West Asia and its consistent support for a two-state solution.

The conferment of the Speaker of the Knesset Medal highlights the evolving and resilient India–Israel partnership amid shifting regional dynamics, reinforcing a relationship that has become a key pillar of India’s engagement in West Asia.