# PM Modi thanks Netanyahu, Macron, neighbours for I-Day wishes 2026-08-16T11:32:25+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron, among other world leaders, for their greetings on India's 80th Independence Day. In his response to Netanyahu, Modi said India deeply valued its friendship with Israel and hoped the special strategic partnership between the two countries would grow stronger. Netanyahu, who called Modi his 'dear friend', noted that both nations achieved independence a year apart and said their friendship was boundless. Modi also acknowledged wishes from Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. He reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening ties with Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives. Additionally, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides extended greetings, and Modi said India looked forward to further strengthening the partnership with Cyprus. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also sent greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Modi. ## Coverage - ndtv.com - assamtribune.com This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources. Last updated 2026-08-16T20:01:18+00:00. Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Emmanuel Macron, Israel, Narendra Modi Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-thanks-netanyahu-macron-for-independence-day-wishes/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-thanks-netanyahu-macron-for-independence-day-wishes/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/