India stands firmly with Israel against terror, says PM Modi in historic Knesset address

In the address - a marquee event of the visit - PM Modi drew a parallel between the Hamas attack of October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed, and the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, in which around 175 people died.

"We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond," PM Modi said.

"India's connection to this land (Israel) is also written in blood and sacrifice. During the First World War, more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in this region.

"The cavalry charge at Haifa in September 1918 remains a significant chapter in military history," he added.

Addressing the Knesset ahead of PM Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The alliance between us is an enormous multiplier of our individual powers, enormous multiplier. It's a multiplier of the spirit and the multiplier of deeds and capabilities".

Narendra Modi was also honoured with the Medal of the Knesset, which the the Indian PM said was an honour "to the enduring friendship between India and Israel."

The Israeli Prime Minister also delved into history to describe the deep ties and shared culture of India and Israel, citing the ancient civilisation of the Indus Valley and the Jordan Valley.

With his address, PM Modi enters the august list of the world leaders who addressed Knesset - several US presidents, including Donald Trump, late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, and Argentine President Javier Milei.

Earlier PM Modi held meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, during which the leaders discussed a wide range of topics aimed at deepening and strengthening the bilateral relations.