NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday conferred the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” during his address to Israel’s parliament. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this honour.The medal is the highest honour given by the Knesset. It was awarded in recognition of his personal leadership in strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel.PM Modi is among the few world leaders to have received top civilian honours from both Israel and Palestine. In 2018, he was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian honour given to foreign leaders.

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PM Modi receiving the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine (2018 photo)Addressing the Knesset, the prime minister said, “I bring with me greetings of 1.4 billion Indians and a message of friendship, respect and partnership.”Before his address, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that India and Israel would build an “iron alliance” in the face of extremist Islam.Earlier in the day, PM Modi was received at the airport by Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu. He is on a two-day visit to Israel, during which he also met President Isaac Herzog.The visit focuses on deepening cooperation between the two countries in key areas, including strategic and bilateral ties.