India, Israel Step Up FTA Negotiations To Expand Economic Partnership

India and Israel have concluded the second round of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with both countries seeking to strengthen economic cooperation and expand bilateral trade ties. The discussions, held from July 20 to 23, covered several key areas, including trade in goods and services, customs procedures, intellectual property rights, and measures to improve trade facilitation.

According to the Commerce Ministry, the negotiations were constructive and focused on narrowing differences while identifying areas of common interest. Technical experts from both sides held detailed discussions on various chapters of the proposed agreement, including rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, economic cooperation, and other aspects related to market access.

The ministry said India and Israel share strong complementarities across multiple sectors, creating opportunities for deeper economic integration. Officials noted that the proposed FTA could provide a framework to further enhance cooperation between the two countries and support growth in trade and investment activities.

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Both nations have expressed commitment to reaching a balanced, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement at the earliest. The FTA is expected to address a wide range of trade-related issues while creating improved opportunities for businesses and industries in both countries.

Bilateral economic ties between India and Israel have expanded over the years, with cooperation extending across sectors such as technology, agriculture, defence, innovation, and services. Officials believe the proposed trade agreement could further strengthen these partnerships and provide a more structured platform for future economic engagement.

The total merchandise trade between India and Israel stood at USD 3.93 billion in 2025-26, highlighting the significance of the relationship between the two economies. The latest round of negotiations marks another step towards finalising an agreement aimed at boosting trade flows and strengthening long-term cooperation between the two countries.

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