India-Israel sign Terms of Reference for FTA

A key milestone during the visit was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with both Ministers reaffirming their commitment to boosting bilateral trade, investment, and technological cooperation.

During his visit, Goyal met Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter on November 21 to discuss advancing agricultural collaboration.

Dichter briefed Goyal on Israel’s 25-year food-security roadmap, seed-improvement strategies, and leadership in water-reuse technologies.

Goyal visited the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, where he observed Israel’s technological ecosystem, including drip irrigation systems, stent technologies, the Iron Dome system, and emerging virtual-reality solutions.

He described the Center as an “inspiring institution reflecting Israel’s journey of creativity, innovation and social impact.”

He also witnessed Israel’s autonomous mobility solutions in a demonstration by Mobileye and visited Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, gaining insights into cooperative living, sustainable agriculture, and community-driven innovation.

On November 20, Goyal met Israel’s Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, to review bilateral trade and explore new areas of cooperation.

Both Ministers participated in the India–Israel Business Forum, which included technical sessions and B2B interactions, highlighting private-sector interest in fintech, agritech, AI, quantum computing, machine learning, pharmaceuticals, space and defence.

Goyal also held a bilateral meeting with Israel’s Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, focusing on investment linkages, financial technologies, and regulatory cooperation to facilitate economic exchanges.

As part of his industry interactions, Goyal met leaders from Check Point (cybersecurity), IDE Technologies (water solutions), NTA (metro projects), and Netafim (precision agriculture), discussing collaboration in cybersecurity, water management, urban mobility, and advanced irrigation.

Goyal also engaged with Israeli media, interacted with the diamond community, and participated in the India–Israel CEOs Forum alongside Minister Barkat, emphasizing the resilience and growing potential of the bilateral economic partnership.

The Minister’s visit underscored India and Israel’s shared commitment to deepening economic ties, expanding technological collaboration, and enhancing strategic sectoral cooperation.