Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, embarked on an official visit to Israel, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. The visit, spanning two days, was marked by a series of high-level meetings and engagements that underscored the shared commitment to enhancing cooperation in agriculture, technology, innovation, and trade.
The Minister’s itinerary began with a meeting with Israel’s Minister of Economy, Mr. Nir Barkat, where they reviewed the current state of bilateral trade and explored new avenues for cooperation. This meeting set the stage for the India–Israel Business Forum, which saw the participation of senior industry leaders from both countries. The forum featured technical sessions and business-to-business interactions, highlighting the robust interest of the private sector in expanding collaboration across various sectors, including technology, innovation, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This milestone was achieved during a meeting between Shri Goyal and Israel’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Bezalel Smotrich. The signing of the Terms of Reference is a significant step towards boosting bilateral trade, investment, and technological cooperation. Both ministers expressed confidence that the negotiations would proceed constructively towards a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA.
Shri Goyal’s engagements also included a meeting with the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Avi Dichter. The discussion focused on advancing agricultural collaboration, with Minister Dichter briefing Shri Goyal on Israel’s 25-year food-security roadmap, advanced seed-improvement strategies, and the country’s global leadership in water-reuse technologies for agriculture. This exchange of knowledge and expertise is expected to have a profound impact on India’s agricultural sector, particularly in areas such as water management and seed technology.
The Minister’s visit to the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation provided a glimpse into Israel’s pioneering technological ecosystem. He was shown several landmark innovations, including drip irrigation systems, stent technologies, and the Iron Dome system, along with demonstrations of emerging future technologies and immersive virtual-reality solutions. Shri Goyal described the Peres Center as an inspiring institution that reflects Israel’s journey of creativity, innovation, and social impact.
The visit to Kibbutz Ramat Rachel offered valuable insights into Israel’s technological strengths and its approach to rural development and sustainability. Shri Goyal observed the model of cooperative living, sustainable agricultural practices, and community-driven innovation, which could serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives in India.
The Minister also experienced Israel’s advancements in mobility solutions through an autonomous-drive demonstration by Mobileye, highlighting precision engineering in next-generation mobility. This interaction underscores the potential for collaboration in the field of autonomous vehicles and smart mobility solutions.
Shri Goyal’s interactions with leading Israeli companies, including Check Point (cybersecurity), IDE Technologies (water solutions), NTA (metro projects), and Netafim (precision agriculture), centered on areas closely aligned with India’s development priorities. Discussions focused on cybersecurity collaboration, water and sewage management, urban mobility solutions, and advanced irrigation technologies.
The visit concluded with Shri Goyal engaging with leading Israeli media and interacting with members of the diamond community, which continues to serve as a cornerstone of India–Israel trade relations. He later participated in the India–Israel CEOs Forum with Minister Barkat, where he underlined the resilience, depth, and growing potential of the bilateral economic partnership.
In summary, Shri Piyush Goyal’s visit to Israel has laid a strong foundation for deepening economic ties, expanding technological collaboration, and strengthening cooperation across sectors of strategic importance to both nations. The engagements reflect a shared commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and mutual growth, setting the stage for a more robust and dynamic India–Israel partnership.