Narendra Modi Conferred With Speaker of the Knesset Medal by Israel

Key facts

• Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, which is the highest honour awarded by the Israeli parliament.
• PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this distinction, which was presented during his address to the Knesset.
• The medal was awarded in recognition of his leadership in strengthening strategic and bilateral relations between India and Israel.
• During the two-day visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the building of an iron alliance between the two nations to counter extremist Islam.
• PM Modi is among the few world leaders to hold top honours from both Israel and Palestine, having received the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine in 2018.
• The Prime Minister also held meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss deepening cooperation in key strategic areas.