First Round Of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Concludes In New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 27 (KNN) The first round of negotiations for the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully in New Delhi on February 26, 2026.

The talks were held under a structured framework following the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) in November 2025, which laid down the scope and modalities for enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

During his state visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a special plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem on 25 February 2026, where he called for the early finalisation of an ambitious FTA to unlock the untapped trade potential between the two countries.

On 24 February 2026, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met the visiting Israeli delegation and emphasised the need for close collaboration to create new opportunities in trade, innovation and economic growth.

He encouraged both sides to work towards a modern, comprehensive and future-oriented trade agreement.

Over the four-day negotiations from February 23-26, officials from India and Israel held detailed discussions across a broad spectrum of areas.

These included trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (TBT), customs procedures and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, digital trade and other key chapters.

The discussions were described as constructive and forward-looking, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement.

The two countries also agreed to continue inter-sessional engagements through virtual meetings to maintain momentum. The next in-person round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Israel in May 2026.

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Israel stood at approximately USD 3.62 billion in FY 2024–25.

Officials noted that the proposed FTA could provide a stable and predictable framework for businesses, facilitating enhanced trade flows in sectors such as machinery, chemicals, textiles, agriculture, medical devices and advanced technologies.

(KNN Bureau)