TEL AVIV, Israel, October 22 (ANI) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and invited him to light a torch alongside “heroic Indian pilot” Captain Smit Machchhar on Israel’s Independence Day.
During the call, Modi and Netanyahu reviewed the continuing momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
“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,” Modi wrote on X following the call.
Netanyahu said Modi had expressed gratitude for the invitation while emphasizing India’s determination to cooperate with Israel in combating terrorism.
“I spoke with my friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and invited him to light a torch together with the heroic Indian pilot on the Independence Day of the State of Israel. Modi thanked me for the invitation and said that on the ground and in the air, India and Israel fight terrorism together. He expressed his appreciation for the courageous and long-standing relationship between us,” Netanyahu posted on X.
Captain Machchhar sustained severe injuries during an attack by the Omani co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv on September 30. The co-pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft, prompting Machchhar to physically confront him and successfully unlock the cockpit door.
The decisive action enabled fellow crew members and passengers to enter the flight deck and subdue the assailant, averting a potentially catastrophic aviation disaster. The commercial aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers.
On October 3, Netanyahu held a telephone conversation with Captain Machchhar, praising him as a “true hero” representing the people of India, Israel and the global community. He invited the captain and Modi to light a ceremonial torch on Israel’s Independence Day.
“Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day. You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you’re a hero of the entire world,” Netanyahu told Machchhar.
“I wish you a very speedy and complete recovery,” he added.
The Israeli leader noted that the honor is traditionally reserved for Israeli citizens. However, he said, “But I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will embrace you. They do now and they will then too.”
Netanyahu, who had been briefed by the aviator on how the attack unfolded inside the cockpit, expressed astonishment at his composure.
“I’m amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgement under impossible conditions,” the Israeli prime minister said, adding that the pilot’s actions were extraordinary and approached miraculous proportions.
Netanyahu said the pilot had saved more than just the lives of those aboard the aircraft.
“You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger. You saved the spirit of the world to realise that a brave pilot and brave passengers can overcome this evil, however threatening, however violent. It’s something that is being justly hailed around the world,” Netanyahu said.
“You’re a hero of Israel. You’re a hero of India. You’re a hero of the entire world,” he added.
Inviting the captain once more toward the end of the conversation, Netanyahu said, “So we hope to see you very soon in Israel. I look forward to seeing you here again. But under the circumstances, I think this will be a memorable and historic visit.”
“Thank you for everything you did,” the Israeli prime minister told the Indian pilot. (ANI)
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