Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for the first visit by an Israeli leader to India in 15 years, promising closer ties with the regional power.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Netanyahu's visit, telling his counterpart: "Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations."

While the Modi administration was all smiles at Netanyahu's surprise six-day visit, the same cannot be said about several religious and human rights groups, who took to the streets to register their protest, urging the Israeli premier to "go back!"