 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Speaker of the Knesset Medal on Wednesday. Screengrab")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, the highest honour awarded by Israel’s Parliament, in recognition of his efforts to deepen India–Israel relations.
The medal was presented by the Knesset in acknowledgement of PM Modi’s leadership and sustained engagement with Israel’s leadership, which have significantly strengthened bilateral ties.
According to the official citation, the award recognises Modi’s role in elevating India–Israel relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing defence, security, technology, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges.
After receiving the honour, PM Modi said the medal is not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knesset. I accept it with humility and gratitude. This honour is not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel. It reflects the shared values that guide our two nations,” he posted on X.
PM Modi is among the few global leaders to have received top civilian honours from both Israel and Palestine, reflecting India’s balanced diplomatic engagement in West Asia.
In 2018, he was awarded the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest honour conferred by the Palestinian leadership on foreign dignitaries, in recognition of his contribution to India–Palestine ties and New Delhi’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.
Earlier in the day, addressing the Knesset in a historic speech, Modi also spoke on the Palestine issue, stating that the Trump administration-led Gaza Peace Initiative offers a just and durable solution for the people of the region.
“The Gaza Peace Initiative holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue. The road to peace is not always easy but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” PM Modi said during his address.
He noted that the initiative has been endorsed by the UN Security Council and offers a viable path forward, reiterating India’s firm support for the proposal.
Referring to the turbulence in West Asia, PM Modi stressed the importance of regional peace and affirmed that India stands with Israel during this challenging period.
“Some years ago, when you concluded the Abraham Accords, we applauded your courage and vision. It was a moment of new hope for our long-troubled region. Since then, however, the situation has changed significantly and path is more challenging,” he said.
PM Modi’s address to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, came hours after he arrived in the country to a rousing welcome at Ben Gurion Airport, where he was received by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu.
With inputs from agencies