A wave of euphoria has swept Jerusalem’s Indian expatriates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Israel. Describing the two-day visit as ‘historic,’ the community is gearing up for grand welcomes, their pride evident in every conversation.
Interviews reveal unbridled joy. ‘This is huge—not just for us here, but for every Indian,’ said a veteran resident who met Modi during his 2017 trip to the Knesset. Now, with special volunteer roles, he’s part of the official reception team. ‘Pure pride,’ he beamed.
Others echo the fervor. A caregiver pointed to ongoing struggles in key industries—agriculture, construction, elderly care—and voiced expectations for productive dialogues. ‘We’ve faced delays and disparities; hopefully, this visit brings solutions,’ she noted.
Israel matches the energy. President Isaac Herzog welcomed the news warmly, affirming the country’s excitement. At the airport, Netanyahu and Sara extended VIP honors to Modi, their second such rendezvous since 2017.
Social media lit up with Netanyahu’s post: a video of the warm embrace captioned ‘Welcome, my friend PM Narendra Modi.’ Modi’s itinerary promises high-level meets, visits to tech epicenters like Tel Aviv, and symbolic gestures reinforcing the strategic alliance.
This visit comes at a pivotal time, with India-Israel trade soaring and defense cooperation intensifying. For the diaspora, it’s a beacon of hope, potentially unlocking better visas, protections, and pathways home. As festivities unfold, all eyes are on breakthroughs that cement this vital partnership.