In pics: Modi, Netanyahu all praise for each other as PM visits Israel

Prime Minster Narendra Modi became the first Indian premier to visit the state of Israel, with Israeli counterpart Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu personally present in a diplomatic gesture not reserved for all.

India and Israel cemented a new stone in their bilateral engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the first Indian premier to visit the Middle Eastern nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, as part of a three day state visit -- the first by an Indian Premier to the Middle Eastern state since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992. (PTI Photo)

Modi received a red-carpet treatment with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu personally present to receive him at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport – a gesture previously accorded only to the US President and the Pope.

Both leaders were all praise for each other with Netanyahu greeting Modi in Hindi, saying “Aapka swagat hai, mere dost (Welcome, my friend).” Modi returned the gesture in Hebrew with, “Shalom, ani same’ah lihyot kan (Hello, I am happy to be here).”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel (PTI)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L), and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stand during welcome ceremony at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv. Netanyahu lauded Modi as a ‘great world leader’. (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the welcoming ceremony for his Indian counterpart Narendra Mod on July 4, 2017 (Jack Guez / AFP)

The issue of Indian and Israel’s focus on the IT industry was also raised by Netanyahu, remarking that Hindi and Hebrew are the two most spoken languages in Silicon Valley.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu,visiting the Danziger Flower Farm in Tel Aviv, where a special variety of chrysanthemum was named after Modi. (PTI)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rekindles the 'Eternal Flame' during a memorial ceremony at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem, Israel. (AP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) look at pictures of Jewish Holocaust victims at the Hall of Names during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum commemorating the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during World War II. (Dan Balilty / AFP)

At a joint address later, Prime Minister Modi called for resolute oppositions to terrorism, radicalism and violence. After laying a wreath at the Yad Vashem Memorial museum to the victims of the Holocaust by Nazi Germany.

He praised the Israeli state’s “unbreakable spirit to rise above the depths of tragedy, overcome hatred and forge ahead to build a vibrant democratic nation.”