‘Namaste, Shalom’: Jerusalem Post Greets Modi with ‘Welcome’ Front Page Ahead of Israel Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was featured prominently on the front page of the Jerusalem Post as he embarked on his second visit to Israel since taking office in 2014. The Prime Minister departed on Wednesday morning for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ahead of the visit, Israel’s leading English-language daily highlighted Modi’s arrival with a striking front-page headline reading “Welcome Modi,” accompanied by the greetings “Namaste” and “Shalom,” reflecting the cultural ties between India and Israel. Another headline pointed to the growing relationship between the two countries, focusing on the expanding partnership between New Delhi and Jerusalem.

The newspaper also carried an interview with India’s ambassador to Israel, J.P. Singh, who underlined the significance of the visit. He noted that one of the key moments would be Modi’s address to the Knesset, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before Israel’s parliament.

Modi’s trip marks his second visit to Israel, following his landmark 2017 tour, when he became the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to the country.

Agenda for the visit

During the visit, Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Netanyahu to review progress in the India–Israel Strategic Partnership. Discussions are expected to cover cooperation in areas including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Prime Minister will also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. A central highlight of the trip will be Modi’s address to the Knesset, a first for an Indian leader, underscoring the deepening engagement between the two nations.