Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's video message congratulating Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest continuously serving elected premier has gone viral, amassing over 11 million views.
Viral Congratulations
Netanyahu posted the video on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening, praising Modi's leadership for 'transforming India' and strengthening India-Israel relations. 'My dear friend Narendra, congratulations on becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. You've transformed India,' he wrote.
Crediting Modi's leadership for propelling a nation of 1.4 billion people into one of the fastest-growing economies globally, Netanyahu said Modi had earned the admiration of millions worldwide. 'You strengthened the bond between India and Israel. Our friendship and the bond between our two great nations have never been stronger,' Netanyahu asserted.
By Thursday afternoon, the post had garnered more than 11 million views—a number exceeding Israel's population of just over 10 million. Many in Israel saw this as aligned with Netanyahu's claim last month about the 'crazy love' for Israel in India.
Diplomatic Context
Countering issues of delegitimisation and alliances amid a prolonged war, Netanyahu had said last month that his country has a 'unique relationship' with 'huge power' India, where there is 'crazy love' for Israel. The 'personal chemistry' between Modi and Netanyahu is a much-discussed topic in Israel, with photos of them walking barefoot together on a beach in 2017 sparking talk of a 'bromance.'
Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel in July 2017 and followed it with another visit in February this year. He was extended a welcome reserved only for US Presidents during both visits to Israel.
The viral video underscores the deepening ties between the two nations and the widespread admiration for Modi's leadership on the global stage.
