JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu personally accompanied Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ben Gurion International Airport on Thursday to bid him farewell, capping a productive two-day state visit focused on deepening bilateral ties.

The warm gesture underscored the strong personal and strategic relationship between the two leaders and their nations. Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu stood by as Modi boarded his plane, following a ceremonial departure that included mutual expressions of commitment to expanded cooperation.

Modi concluded his visit, which began Wednesday, after addressing Israel’s Knesset, holding talks with Netanyahu and other officials, and overseeing the signing of agreements in areas including innovation, technology, security, defense and trade.

In a post on X, Modi expressed gratitude for the hospitality, noting he was “deeply touched” that Netanyahu and his wife came to the airport to see him off personally. He added that he was confident the India-Israel partnership would “continue to reach new heights in the years to come.”

The visit, described by officials as historic, built on Modi’s landmark 2017 trip to Israel — the first by an Indian prime minister — and Netanyahu’s reciprocal visit to India. It highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen defense collaboration, pursue a free-trade agreement and advance joint initiatives in AI and other high-tech fields.

Netanyahu has hailed the Israel-India relationship as “unique and historic,” emphasizing shared interests in countering terrorism and fostering regional alliances.