Modi receives Netanyahu at airport, says visit ‘historic’

The two attended a ceremony at the Teen Murti Memorial to mark the formal renaming of Teen Murti Chowk as the Teen Murti Haifa Chowk, after the Israeli city of Haifa.

Setting aside protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received on Sunday his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who arrived in India on a six-day visit.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah are greeted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their arrival at Palam airport in New Delhi on Sunday. (AP Photo)

Modi received Prime Minister Netanyahu at the airport. He welcomed Netanyahu with a hug upon his arrival. The Israeli prime minister is accompanied by his wife Sara.

“Welcome to India, my friend PM @netanyahu! Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations,” Modi tweeted in English and Hebrew.

During the visit, the two leaders will hold comprehensive dialogue on a variety of issues.

The two attended a ceremony at the Teen Murti Memorial to mark the formal renaming of Teen Murti Chowk as the Teen Murti Haifa Chowk, after the Israeli city of Haifa.

The three bronze statues at Teen Murti represent the Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers who were part of the 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade.

The brigade carried out the victorious assault on the fortified city of Haifa on September 23, 1918, during World War I.