Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) and his wife Sara at the Air Force Station in New Delhi yesterday. Pic/AFP

Setting aside protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday received his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who arrived here on a six-day visit. Modi received Prime Minister Netanyahu at the airport. He welcomed Netanyahu with a hug upon his arrival. The Israeli prime minister is accompanied by his wife Sara. "Welcome to India, my friend PM @netanyahu! Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations," Modi tweeted in English and Hebrew. During the visit, the two leaders will hold comprehensive dialogue on a variety of issues.