Talks regarding Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Israel have gained momentum. A high-level delegation from Israel is scheduled to visit New Delhi in late February, with which formal talks will resume. Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said that both countries want to take the process forward in a practical and phased manner, so that concrete results can be achieved in a timely manner.
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the agreement were formally signed in November 2025. The process was completed when Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal was on a visit to Israel. After agreeing to ToR, the way has now been cleared for structured and thematic talks.
According to Ambassador Azar, it is proposed to proceed with the talks in two phases. The first phase will focus on resolving what are being called ‘low-hanging fruit’, i.e. issues on which consensus can be reached relatively quickly. After this, more complex and sensitive issues will be discussed in the second phase. Both sides aim to finalize the free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of 2026.
Azar also mentioned India’s recent trade achievements and said the agreements signed with the EU, UAE and Australia have proven New Delhi’s capability in global trade negotiations. He expressed confidence that this experience will also give impetus to the India-Israel FTA.
Speaking on the regional situation, the Ambassador stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in Gaza, counter-insurgency and the implementation of the 20-point plan. He expressed hope that diplomacy would be successful and said that Egypt should follow through on the demobilization promises made by Hamas at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit.
He also said that India’s role can be important in this region. As the world’s fastest growing major economy, India offers vast opportunities for both Israel and the Arab world, thereby bolstering stability in the Middle East.
Azar also cited the recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile program and regional activities remained prominent in this conversation.
Meanwhile, speculations are also rife about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to Israel, although no formal announcement has been made yet. Professional teams from both the countries are coordinating to further deepen cooperation in areas such as defense industry, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cyber security, agriculture, transportation and water management. Overall, the India-Israel FTA talks and possible high-level visits are seen as steps to give a new direction to the strategic, economic and technological partnership between the two countries.
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