Netanyahu and Modi exchange Diwali greetings

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wished Indian counterpart Narendra Modi ” a joyous Diwali,” with the Hindu festival of lights set to kick off this week.

Modi responds by thanking Netanyahu and announcing he will surprise troops on the border for the holiday.

The two world leaders have formed a close friendship, with each visiting the others’ countries over the past year and a half.

On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to wish my dear friend @narendramodi and the people of India a joyous Diwali. May this luminous festival of lights bring you happiness and prosperity. Reply to this tweet with the name of the city where you’re celebrating! ????????????????

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 6, 2018

Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes.

Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special.

I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. 🙂 @netanyahu https://t.co/gnouOA3QGt

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2018

President Reuven Rivlin, who also visited India last year, also does the same with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, one-upping Netanyahu by throwing in some Hindu writing.

रोशनी के त्योहार #दीपावली के पावन पर्व पर इजरायल की ओर से #PresidentKovind व सभी भारतीयों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। @rashtrapatibhvn
Warm greetings and good wishes to the people of #India from the people of #Israel on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. #शुभदीपावली #HappyDiwali

— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) November 6, 2018

Alas, Kovind has not responded.