Overview
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal ended a three-day Israel visit after meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Economy Minister Nir Barkat.
- The two sides signed Terms of Reference to open FTA negotiations covering tariff and non-tariff barriers, customs simplification, investment facilitation, services, and innovation ties.
- Both ministers signaled a two-phase approach that finalises a first tranche of low-hanging fruit to deliver early benefits while parking sensitive items.
- Business and CEOs forums convened with a 60-plus Indian delegation, alongside sectoral discussions including agriculture and water technologies.
- Goyal said Israel issued pre-qualification for a roughly USD 50 billion Tel Aviv metro project and indicated interest in bids from Indian companies.