‘Modi Hug’ Known Around The World, Says Netanyahu As India Reaffirms Support Against Terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trademark style of greeting world leaders with a warm embrace has once again taken centre stage internationally after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised what he called the famous "Modi hug".

The gesture, often described as "hugplomacy", became a symbolic highlight of Modi's visit to Israel and underscored the evolving warmth in bilateral ties.

Netanyahu Highlights Personal Bond

Calling the relationship exceptional, Netanyahu emphasised both personal chemistry and growing diplomatic closeness.

"It's been a wondrous friendship, both personally, between the two of us, and between our two countries and our two peoples," Netanyahu said.

He recalled the moment the two leaders greeted each other warmly soon after the Indian Prime Minister landed in Israel.

"Prime Minister Modi's personal embrace is something special-it's called the 'Modi hug.' It's well known around the world, and when you hug someone closely, truly, you know it's not an act. It's a real thing," he said.

The Israeli leader also linked the gesture to a broader public sentiment between the two nations.

"So I want to return the hug here from every single one of the Knesset members; it's not only an indication of the personal relations and the personal friendship between us, but it really reflects the warmth of the tie between our two peoples," he said.

From Formal Diplomacy To Symbolic Gesture

Unlike traditional diplomatic protocol, where handshakes dominate official meetings, Modi has frequently greeted global leaders with embraces. The practice has become a defining feature of his foreign policy style and has often drawn global media attention.

The hug, in this context, served not merely as a personal greeting but as a visual signal of the growing closeness between India and Israel, reflecting a relationship that has expanded beyond strategic cooperation into public diplomacy and cultural familiarity.

Historic Address At The Knesset

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed Israel's parliament, the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. In his speech, he reiterated India's firm position against terrorism and expressed solidarity with Israel in its fight against terror.

The address was widely viewed as a milestone moment in diplomatic engagement, signalling a deeper political understanding between the two democracies.

Continuity From The 2017 Breakthrough Visit

The visit also carried echoes of Modi's landmark 2017 trip to Israel, which opened major avenues of cooperation in defence, agriculture and water management. Netanyahu had personally welcomed him at the airport during that visit as well, marking the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations.

The repeated public warmth between the two leaders reflects how ties between India and Israel have steadily moved from cautious engagement to open strategic partnership, supported by both governments and increasingly recognised by their people.