India-Israel FTA talks begin to deepen bilateral trade ties
The first round of negotiations for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has begun in New Delhi and is scheduled to last till February 26, 2026. The Terms of Reference (ToR) were signed in November 2025, creating a structured framework for discussions on identified areas to enhance trade and economic cooperation.
Total merchandise trade between the two countries stood at $3.62 billion in FY24-25. They share complementarities in many areas, and the FTA will be a catalyst to further enhance bilateral trade by providing certainty and predictability to businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a press release.
During this round, technical experts from both sides will participate in sessions covering various aspects of the FTA such as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedures and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, etc.
During the inaugural session, Indian Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Aggarwal underlined that the start of FTA negotiations was timely for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on February 25-26, 2026.
Aggarwal underlined the significant opportunities available to both sides in areas such as innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture and services. He emphasized that the FTA will enable both the countries to harness these opportunities and take full advantage of them.
India's chief negotiator, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ajay Bhadu reiterated the importance of this engagement for both countries and encouraged both sides to work on a balanced agreement to create a visionary framework for an evolving partnership.
Israel's Chief Negotiator for the FTA, Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director for Trade Policy and Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel, expressed that the two countries share close ties, and the FTA has the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation, and open new markets for both countries.
This engagement highlights the strategic importance of India-Israel bilateral relations and reinforces India's commitment to deepening the economic partnership in line with national priorities and global aspirations. The release said both sides are working towards concluding a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement.
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