The Indian prime minister is the first leader to receive this medal, which is the highest honour of the Knesset - the Israeli Parliament.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana conferred the award on the prime minister after his address at the Israeli Parliament.

The medal was conferred in recognition of the prime minister's exceptional contribution, through his personal leadership, to strengthen strategic relations between India and Israel.

PM Modi said the award was "not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel".

"I am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knesset. I accept it with humility and gratitude. This honour is not a tribute to an individual, but to the enduring friendship between India and Israel. It reflects the shared values that guide our two nations," PM Modi wrote on social media.