New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings and presenting the outcomes of his three-day official visit.
“Honoured to call on the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. @Netanyahu, at the conclusion of my three-day visit,” Goyal wrote on X, adding that he had relayed Prime Minister Modi’s wishes.
Goyal briefed Netanyahu on his meeting with Israel’s Economy Minister Nir Barkat, the India–Israel Business Forum, and the CEOs Forum, which saw participation from a delegation of more than 60 Indian business leaders. He highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference that formally initiates negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at advancing trade, investment and technological collaboration.
The Minister also discussed expanding the innovation partnership between the two countries, saying that combining Israel’s technology expertise with India’s scale and talent could significantly deepen cooperation.
He said he sought Netanyahu’s guidance on strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors, including agriculture, water, defence, science and technology, and innovation.
Earlier, speaking in Jerusalem, Goyal said that both sides are working to implement the proposed FTA in two phases, adding that this would boost bilateral trade and enhance cooperation in innovation, research and development.
He noted that this was the first visit by an Indian Commerce Minister to Israel in two decades. “I hope that after this visit, bilateral trade between India and Israel will increase, and there will be an improvement in our mutual relations in innovation, research and development. Going forward, we expect a significant surge in investment between the two countries,” he said.
Goyal added that both nations are eager to finalise the first phase of the FTA at the earliest so that the business communities of both countries can benefit.
