Goyal’s Israel Visit Boosts Strategic & Economic Ties

• Piyush Goyal concludes three-day Israel visit with high-level meetings.
• India–Israel FTA Terms of Reference signed, paving way for structured negotiations.
• Over 250 B2B meetings held at India–Israel Business and CEOs Forum.
• Talks deepen cooperation in technology, agriculture, infrastructure, defence and water security.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Nov: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal ended his three-day visit to Israel on 22 November, concluding a series of high-level engagements aimed at advancing the India–Israel strategic and economic partnership.

During the visit, he held bilateral meetings with Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter. He also called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A major development was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement, setting the stage for structured negotiations aimed at a balanced and mutually beneficial outcome.

In his meeting with Finance Minister Smotrich, discussions focused on opportunities for Indian companies in infrastructure and mining, along with prospects for Indian workers in Israel. Talks with Agriculture Minister Dichter covered Israel’s food-security strategy, seed-improvement technologies and leadership in agricultural water-reuse.

Goyal addressed the India–Israel Business Forum and the CEOs Forum, which witnessed strong participation from both sides. More than 250 B2B meetings were held. He highlighted India’s vast potential for Israeli innovators in technology, agritech, water solutions, defence, fintech, AI, quantum computing, pharmaceuticals and space.

He also interacted with leading Israeli companies such as Check Point, IDE Technologies, NTA and Netafim to explore partnerships in cybersecurity, desalination, metro and mobility solutions, and precision agriculture.

The Minister visited the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, experienced an autonomous vehicle demonstration by Mobileye and reviewed sustainable farming models at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. He engaged with the Indian business delegation, the Indian diaspora, the diamond community and media representatives.

Minister Nir Barkat hosted a Gala Reception in Goyal’s honour, while also attending a community event organised by the Embassy of India in Israel.

On the final day, Goyal briefed President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu on the outcomes of the business forums and discussed expanding cooperation in agriculture, water, defence, cybersecurity, science, technology and innovation.

The 60-member Indian business delegation visited key innovation centres in Israel, including Sheba Hospital, Check Point headquarters and agricultural farms showcasing sustainable farming practices.

The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen economic ties, accelerate technology-driven cooperation and strengthen partnerships across sectors of strategic importance — marking a forward push in the next phase of India–Israel relations.