Overview
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman signed the investment pact in New Delhi.
- The agreement is promoted as opening opportunities for investors, strengthening Israeli exports to India, and supporting cooperation in sectors such as technology and agriculture.
- Indian and Israeli officials position the deal as a replacement for an agreement India terminated in 2017 under its treaty overhaul, with Israeli officials calling it an early OECD partner pact under the new approach.
- Smotrich said Israel and India are engaging with the U.S. on tariff issues and voiced optimism about reaching an understanding, while reports on the scope of U.S. tariffs on India vary and remain unconfirmed.
- During the visit, Smotrich paid respects at Mumbai’s Nariman House and voiced support for India’s security while framing ties around a shared stance against terrorism.