New Delhi

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday met an Israeli delegation visiting India for the first round of negotiations on the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing the discussions as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

In a post on X, Goyal said the negotiations, scheduled from February 23 to 26 in New Delhi, aim to expand trade and create new opportunities for businesses and citizens in both countries.

Met a delegation from Israel today, visiting India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations (23rd-26th February 2026).

The FTA negotiations mark an important step towards enhancing India-Israel bilateral trade & economic cooperation, aimed at… pic.twitter.com/ldtN2U34ug

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 24, 2026

The Commerce and Industry Ministry said technical teams from India and Israel are engaging in detailed sessions covering trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedures, trade facilitation and intellectual property rights, among other areas.

During the opening session, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal noted that the negotiations coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming State visit to Israel on February 25–26, calling it an opportune moment to advance the strategic partnership.

Agrawal highlighted the strong complementarities between the two countries in sectors such as innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, agriculture and services. He said the proposed FTA would help both sides leverage these strengths more effectively.

India’s Chief Negotiator, Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, stressed the importance of reaching a balanced and forward-looking agreement that reflects the evolving economic partnership.

On the Israeli side, Chief Negotiator Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director for Trade Policy and Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner in Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, said the FTA could deepen supply chain integration, expand market access and enhance bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit will be his second to Israel, following his landmark 2017 trip. During the visit, he is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to review progress under the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and explore further collaboration in areas including defence, security, agriculture, water management, innovation, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said earlier that Israel looks forward to welcoming Modi and expressed optimism that the FTA could be finalised this year.

The groundwork for the agreement was laid in November 2025, when the Terms of Reference for launching FTA negotiations were signed during Goyal’s visit to Israel. In September 2025, during the visit of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to India, both sides signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement to strengthen investor protection and boost cross-border investments.

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Total merchandise trade between India and Israel stood at USD 3.62 billion in FY 2024–25. Officials said the proposed FTA is expected to provide greater certainty and predictability for businesses, including MSMEs, and act as a catalyst for expanding bilateral trade.