If you’re a diligent news consumer, then you must be aware that historic things are underway. Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel and he has signed seven agreements pertaining to water, agriculture, space and so on. According to The Indian Express, minutes after the ceremonial guard of honour, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu told Modi, “Aapka swagat hai, mere dost [we welcome you my friend].” He then went on to say “we have been waiting for you for a long time.” The rest of the bromance was there to witness across all television channels. Of course, Netanyahu’s describing India and Israel relations as “a marriage made in heaven” became the quotable quote of the day. But not without media reports pointing out that Netanyahu had described his country’s relations with China in similar terms. In March 2017, Netanyahu visited Beijing to meet the Chinese Premier and heads of major Chinese corporations and said he believed the collaboration between the two countries as a “marriage made in heaven”.
While India Today decided this makes India and China “sautans” (ugh), we did a little google check on Netanyahu’s heavenly international relations.
On February 25, 2016, Netanyahu meets Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Satya Nadella. Speaking on 25 years of cooperation between Microsoft and the State of Israel, he says, “It’s a marriage made in heaven, but recognised here on earth.”
Before that on July 7, 2015, Netanyahu while visiting Ethiopia spoke of the need for investments and collaboration between the two countries because, well, this is a partnership made in heaven. No all’s hunky dory, though, Netanyahu marriage with former US President Obama was described as a failed one.
Meanwhile, back home, Indian television media just can’t get enough of all the historic-ness. ABP News told us how Netanyahu told Modi something that no one has ever said. What you ask? “My friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcome to Israel, aapka sawagat hai mere dost.” ABP then marvels at how the Israel PM had to call Modi a world leader even though he’s a four-time PM and Modi is only three years into his term.
Aaj Tak informed us how the new friendship is creating fear among enemies.
India TV added a useful Pakistan angle to the visit.
Zee News told us how both the PMs enjoyed themselves on the beach — “lehrein aati rahi aur donon khade rahe… (the waves kept coming and they stood where they were).“
All we can think of is this bromance is deserving of a name to celebrate this relationship.
As the last generation that remembers Brangelina, we turned to the Internet and a celebrity couple name generator to find a moniker that truly reflects the unity of this union.
Unfortunately, not all of these were as stellar as we’d hoped. We’ve shortlisted our contenders below:
Modhu
Netanyahi
Motanyahu
Monetanyahu (as an added bonus, it contains shades of demonetisation within it).
Benjamina (perhaps too close to the original, and we all know how that turned out)
Netanyahodi
Nodi
Metanyahu