During his recent visit to Israel, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal engaged in a series of high-level meetings and interactions, further solidifying the bilateral cooperation between India and Israel, particularly in the realms of agriculture, technology, innovation, and trade.
Minister Goyal’s discussions with Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, shed light on Israel’s ambitious 25-year food security roadmap and its advanced agricultural technologies. The exchange focused on seed improvement strategies and water-reuse technologies, areas where Israel has established global leadership. This collaboration could significantly benefit India’s agricultural sector, which is increasingly looking towards technological advancements to enhance productivity and sustainability.
At the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, Minister Goyal gained insights into Israel’s technological ecosystem, including landmark innovations like drip irrigation systems and the Iron Dome system. The visit highlighted the potential for India to adopt and adapt these technologies to address its own challenges in agriculture and defense. The autonomous drive demonstration by Mobileye underscored the advancements in mobility solutions, offering a glimpse into the future of transportation and precision engineering.
The visit to Kibbutz Ramat Rachel provided a practical understanding of Israel’s cooperative living models and sustainable agricultural practices. These insights could inform India’s approach to rural development and community-driven innovation, fostering a more sustainable and inclusive growth model.
Earlier in the visit, Minister Goyal met with Israel’s Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, to review the current trajectory of bilateral trade and explore new areas of cooperation. The India-Israel Business Forum, attended by senior industry leaders from both countries, reflected the strong private sector interest in expanding collaboration across various sectors. The forum’s technical sessions and B2B interactions highlighted the potential for joint ventures and technological exchanges.
Minister Goyal’s interactions with Israeli companies like Check Point, IDE Technologies, NTA, and Netafim focused on critical areas such as cybersecurity, water management, urban mobility, and precision agriculture. These discussions are aligned with India’s development priorities and could lead to significant advancements in these sectors.
A notable achievement during the visit was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This milestone is expected to boost bilateral trade, investment, and technological cooperation, paving the way for a more robust economic partnership.
Throughout his engagements, Minister Goyal emphasized the trust-based foundation of India-Israel relations and the substantial opportunities in sectors like fintech, agritech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, machine learning, pharmaceuticals, space, and defense. His interactions with the diamond community and leading Israeli media further underscored the depth and resilience of the bilateral economic partnership.
The visit concluded with the India-Israel CEOs Forum, where Minister Goyal highlighted the growing potential of the bilateral economic partnership. The forum’s discussions are expected to translate into concrete collaborations and investments, benefiting both nations.
Overall, Minister Goyal’s visit to Israel has strengthened the bilateral relationship, opening new avenues for cooperation and technological exchange. The insights gained and the agreements signed are poised to drive innovation and growth in both countries, fostering a more interconnected and prosperous future.