WATCH: You're the most popular man in Israel, come join my party: Israeli PM Naftali Bennett tells PM Narendra Modi

"You're the person who restarted the relationship between India and Israel," Bennett told PM Modi after their first meeting on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit.

Photo: PIB

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett on Tuesday (November 2, 2021) held a 'fruitful' first meeting on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit. During the meeting, Bennett told Modi that he is the 'most popular man in Israel' and also asked him to join his party. 

"You are the most popular man in Israel. Come and join my party," said Bennett as PM Modi burst into laughter upon hearing the compliment.

Excellent meeting with @NarendraModi at @COP26.

Narendra, I want to thank you for your historic role in shaping the ties between our countries.

Together, we can bring India-Israel relations to a whole new level and build a better & brighter future for our nations.
pic.twitter.com/sfRk7cNA7d

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 2, 2021

"I want to thank you. You're the person who restarted the relationship between India and Israel, which is a deep relationship between two unique civilizations – the Indian civilization, the Jewish civilization – and I know it comes from your heart," Bennett told PM Modi.

"It's not about interests; it's about a deep conviction that you harbor and we feel it. On behalf of all Israeli citizens, we deeply appreciate this whole new approach that will go down in history as something that you brought about. So thank you," he added.

He also took the opportunity to extend Diwali greetings to PM Modi and other Indians.

Earlier, recalling their brief meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Modi had said that the people of India deeply value the friendship with Israel.

Indeed!

We shall continue working together for stronger bilateral ties and for a better planet.

The people of India deeply value the friendship with Israel. https://t.co/PEaJ6cFxkM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 2, 2021

The meeting between Modi and Bennett comes after Jaishankar, during his visit to Israel last month, extended an invitation to the Israeli premier on behalf of Modi to visit India.

According to some media reports, Bennett, who became prime minister in June this year, is likely to visit India next year.

(With agency inputs)