India, Israel Ink Bilateral Investment Agreement in New Delhi

• India and Israel sign Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) in New Delhi.
• Signed by Nirmala Sitharaman and Bezalel Smotrich.
• Provides investor protection, arbitration-based dispute resolution, and safeguards against expropriation.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Sep: The Government of India and the Government of Israel on Monday signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) in New Delhi, marking a historic milestone in bilateral economic relations. The agreement was signed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in the presence of senior officials from both nations.

The BIA is expected to strengthen investor confidence by ensuring minimum standards of treatment, an independent arbitration mechanism, and protection against expropriation. It also provides for transparency, smooth transfers, and compensation for losses while safeguarding each country’s sovereign regulatory rights.

Finance Minister Sitharaman highlighted India’s decade-long reforms that have made it the fastest-growing economy, while expressing condolences over the loss of lives in a terrorist attack in Israel earlier in the day. She underlined the shared values and commitment of both nations towards global peace and stability.

Her Israeli counterpart emphasised the need for stronger collaboration in areas such as cybersecurity, defence, and high-tech innovation, noting the resilience of both economies despite security challenges.

The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation in fintech innovation, infrastructure, financial regulation, and digital payment connectivity. Israel also extended an invitation to Minister Sitharaman to visit the country.