In call with Israeli counterpart, PM Modi says urgent need to restore West Asia peace

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed the urgent need for cessation of hostilities in West Asia in a phone conversation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.The talks took place days before the Israeli general elections, the first since the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks and Israel’s military response. Netanyahu said he invited Modi to light the ceremonial torch alongside Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for Israel’s Independence Day celebrations next year.Machchhar, a pilot for flydubai, sustained injuries during an attack by the Omani co-pilot on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight on Sept 30. The co-pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft, following which Machchhar fought him off and managed to unlock the cockpit door.Modi said he had received acall from Netanyahu during which the leaders reviewed the sustained momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership. Modi did not mention Netanyahu’s invitation in his post on the conversation.

“We exchanged views on developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region,” Modi said on X.In his own version of the conversation, Netanyahu did not mention the West Asia situation but said India and Israel were fighting terrorism together. “I spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light the torch alongside a brave Indian pilot on Israel’s Independence Day,” Netanyahu said on X.“Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on land and in the air, India and Israel are fighting terrorism together. He also commended the strong and decades-old ties between us,” he added.