Indian-Israelis are a “human bridge” between the two countries, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi addressed a gathering of about 5,000 Israelis of Indian origin at a convention centre in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night, where Mr. Modi promised a new Air India flight connecting both countries.

“We love you, respect you, admire you,” said Mr. Netanyahu to a cheering crowd, that represented a larger number than the Jewish population of India, that gathered here from various parts of the country.

In his speech, Mr. Modi recalled several Jewish Indians who had served in India, including General JFR Jacob, and hundreds of Indians who worked to “make the desert bloom” in Israel in farming jobs.

He also referred to Baba Fariduddin, who had travelled to Jerusalem in the 13th century, calling him a symbol of the fact that while India and Israel have had full diplomatic ties for 25 years, they go back “hundreds of years” in history.

The family of Ansaris, that runs the Indian hospice in Baba Farid’s name even today, met with Mr. Modi in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Sheikh Nazeer Ansari, who has been given a ‘Pravasi Bharatiya’ honour, was among them. In his speech that lasted nearly an hour, Mr. Modi recounted, what he called his government’s achievements, including the introduction of GST unified tax, housing subsidies, and the use of “neem-coated” fertilizers. He also promised the diaspora faster facilitation of PIO and OCI cards, as well as visas, and the setting up of an Indian cultural centre in Israel “very soon”.

“We attend the Indian Embassy Independence Day function each year, but I have never attended a function like this,” said Kevin Moses, a glass bottle factory employee, who moved to Israel in 1968. “The last time we saw such a big crowd was when film star Govinda came,” agreed Michael Daniel, who is an events manager, especially for Bollywood events in Israel.

The event began with the Indian and Israel national anthems being sung by Liora Itzhak, an Israeli singer of Indian origin, whose parents moved to Israel from Gujarat in the 1970s. Speaking to The Hindu before the ceremony, Ms. Itzhak said she has developed a fusion of music from both countries for her first music album here, and hoped to perform again in India soon.

While most of the audience comprised Indian Israelis including Bene Israelis, Cochini Jews and Manipuri B’nai Manache Jews, many Indian students and expatriates were seen dancing to Bollywood music at the event. A large number of Indians also live and work in Israel in the health and care-giving sector in Israel. Amel and Soja, from Kerala, who have lived here for three years as nurses, said they hoped for more flights between the two countries after the visit, and were seen cheering loudly as PM Modi announced a Delhi-Mumbai-Tel Aviv flight to be launched soon. Also present were students of the Hindi language Mikhail and Yalgen, who visited India after their military conscription.

Referring to the number of Israeli youth, who travel with backpacks to India to spend their military allowances at the end of their compulsory training, and seek out Israeli food, Mr. Netanyahu said, “Today when Israelis go to India they go on what is called the “Hummus trip” as backpackers. I want to see young Indians come here on the Curry trail. ”

Thanking Mr. Netanyahu for accompanying him to the event Mr. Modi said, “The way [PM Netanyahu] has stayed by my side, and the respect he have given me, no one can forget…. His love for India is also seen by how he loves Indian food.” Speaking earlier in the day Mr. Netanyahu revealed that he had gone on his first “date” with his present wife, Sara, to an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv, run by Indian entrepreneur Reena Pushkarna. Ms. Pushkarna, who was present in the audience at the convention centre, has organised Mr. Modi’s food throughout his visit, and was one of the organisers of the diaspora event as convener of the local unit of the BJP’s international wing.

Speaking earlier in the day Mr. Netanyahu revealed that he had gone on his first “date” with his present wife, Sara, to an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv, run by Indian entrepreneur Reena Pushkarna.

Ms. Pushkarna, who was present in the audience at the convention centre, has organised Mr. Modi’s food throughout his visit, and was one of the organisers of the diaspora event as convener of the local unit of the BJP’s international wing.