Jerusalem/New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and invited him to light a torch along with 'heroic Indian pilot' Captain Smit Machchhar on the Independence Day of the State of Israel, IANS reported.

Source: IANS

During the phone call, the two leaders reviewed the sustained momentum in India-Israel bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries. They also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region.

PM Modi wrote on X after the call: 'Received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We reviewed the sustained momentum in our bilateral ties and reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening our partnership. We also exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underscored the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region.'

Source: PM Narendra Modi on X

Netanyahu, in his own post on X, said he had invited Modi to light a torch together with the heroic Indian pilot on Israel's Independence Day. He said Modi thanked him for the invitation and expressed India's readiness to cooperate with Israel in fighting terrorism, saying that on the ground and in the air, India and Israel fight terrorism together.

Captain Smit Machchhar sustained severe injuries during an attack on a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight on September 30. The Omani co-pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft, after which Machchhar fought him off and managed to unlock the cockpit door. That allowed crew members and passengers to enter the cockpit and restrain the attacker, averting what could have been a major disaster. The flight was carrying more than 170 people.

The torch-lighting ceremony at Israel's Independence Day is traditionally reserved for Israeli citizens who have made exceptional contributions, and no formal confirmation has yet been made public that PM Modi will attend. Netanyahu had earlier spoken with Captain Machchhar and wished him a speedy and complete recovery.