It was a rock-star welcome for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv.
There was a guard of honour, a red carpet rolled out on the tarmac and warm greetings from Mr Modi's Israeli counterpart, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Historic day. Welcome, my friend. (It's) wonderful to see you here in Israel."
Mr Modi stepped up to a makeshift podium to receive the welcome and praised Israel for its achievements.
"It is my singular honour to be the first-ever prime minister of India to undertake this groundbreaking visit to Israel. Friends, the people of Israel have built a nation on democratic principles. They have nurtured it with hard work, grit and the spirit of innovation. You have marched on, regardless of adversity, and converted challenges into opportunity. India applauds your achievements."
Mr Modi kicked off his three-day tour by visiting Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum, where he helped lay a wreath and offered a prayer.
Later, Mr Netanyahu shared yoga jokes with his Indian guest to emphasise their close ties.
"When I do a relaxing Tadasana (yoga) pose in the morning, I'll turn my head to the right, India is the first democracy that I'll see. And when Prime Minister Modi does a relaxing pose of Vasisthasana, and he turns his head to the left, Israel is the first democracy that you can see. So, in fact, we have India and Israel are two sister democracies."
Mr Modi says the two countries share many common goals, especially economic prosperity but also countering terrorism.
"Yad Vashem tells us that those who believe in humanity and civilised values must come together and defend it at all costs. As such, we must resiliently abhor the evils of terrorism, radicalism and violence that plague our time."
The visit is significant not just because it marks 25 years since the two nations established diplomatic relations.
India has also traditionally walked a careful diplomatic line in the region, wary of upsetting its Muslim minority and countries it relies on for imports.
It has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, even as it quietly pursued ties with Israel.
But on his tour, Mr Modi will not make the customary stop in Ramallah for visiting leaders who try to maintain a balance in political ties.
He did, however, meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in New Delhi earlier this year.
The Middle East correspondent for the Israeli broadcaster i24 News, Mohammad Al-Kassim, says it is a worrying development for the Palestinians.
"Many Palestinian students were sent by the Palestine Liberation Organisation to study in India. India historically has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. Not this time, I think. The tide is shifting towards the Israelis. It's disastrous news for the Palestinian Authority, something that they should be worried about."
The American Jewish Committee's Nissim Reuben has told i24 news the shift could show at the United Nations as well.
"I think India will be more cautious. Although, we have seen a significant shift -- before, India used to lead on anti-Israel resolutions, now India has started abstaining. And that is a huge step for India, going by its past records. But given the constraints India has, with about 7 million workers in the Gulf, 80 per cent of its energy needs coming from the Persian Gulf, I think we will find India more nuanced. I think we will find India's position at the international fora vis-a-vis Israel closer to that of Germany than that of the United States."
Analysts say military ties appear to be driving the two nations together.
India is among the world's biggest importers of military equipment, and Israel has become one of its major suppliers.
Israeli media reports the two countries have signed defence deals averaging more than $1 billion a year.g t
The Brookings Doha Centre's Kadira Pethiyagoda has told Al Jazeera Mr Modi's party is more overt than previous Indian governments on arms deals.
"I guess India is also more in need. As you mentioned, India's one of the biggest arms importers, and its own arms industry is quite underdeveloped when it comes to China. So, Israel sees India as a great potential market for its exports."
