India, Israel begin talks for free trade pact

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File | Photo Credit: V. Sudershan

India and Israel person started the archetypal circular of negotiations for a free commercialized statement (FTA) present with an purpose to further boost commercialized ties and beforehand investments, an authoritative said.

The four-day talks volition extremity connected February 26, the authoritative said.

In November past year, the two countries signed the presumption of notation (ToR) to formally commencement the negotiations for the pact.

In specified pacts, 2 sides importantly trim oregon destruct import duties connected maximum fig of goods traded betwixt them. Besides, they easiness norms to beforehand commercialized successful services and investments.

The ToR see marketplace entree for goods by eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers, concern facilitation, simplification of customs procedures, expanding practice for innovation and exertion transfer, and easing norms to beforehand commercialized successful services.

The ongoing negotiations are important arsenic Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Israel connected February 25-26.

India and Israel were engaged earlier besides to negociate a akin agreement. Eight rounds were held, but talks stalled later. The past circular was held successful October 2021. Now some sides person again started the negotiations.

During 2024-25, India's exports to Israel dipped 52% to $2.14 cardinal from $4.52 cardinal successful 2023-24. Imports, too, fell 26.2% to $1.48 cardinal past fiscal year. The bilateral commercialized stood astatine $3.62 billion.

India is Israel's second-largest trading spouse successful Asia.

Though bilateral merchandise commercialized is dominated chiefly by diamonds, petroleum products, and chemicals, caller years person witnessed an summation successful commercialized successful areas specified arsenic physics machinery and high-tech products, communications systems, and aesculapian equipment.

Major exports from India to Israel see pearls and precious stones, automotive diesel, chemic and mineral products, machinery and electrical equipment, plastics, textiles, apparel, basal metals and transport equipment, and cultivation products.

Imports see pearls and precious stones, chemic and mineral/fertiliser products, machinery and electrical equipment, petroleum oils, defence, machinery, and transport equipment.

"The FTA volition unfastened the doors for greater marketplace access, travel of capital, ..both successful goods and services, region obstacles successful doing business, supply clarity and predictability to our economical engagement," Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said successful November successful Tel Aviv.

In September past year, some countries inked a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA), nether which India reduced the section remedies exhaustion play for Israeli investors to 3 years from 5 years.

During April 2000 and June 2025, India received USD 337.77 cardinal overseas nonstop concern (FDI) from Israel.

Israel is simply a high-income, technology-driven marketplace of nether 10 cardinal people.

Published - February 24, 2026 07:10 p.m. IST

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