In Jerusalem, on December 17, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He extended warm regards from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two dignitaries deliberated on strengthening collaboration between India and Israel across various sectors such as technology, economy, skills and talent, connectivity, and security.

Via social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar expressed, “I valued my meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem. I conveyed the warm wishes of PM Narendra Modi. We discussed enhancing cooperation in technology, economy, skills and talent, connectivity, and security. I appreciated his insights on regional and global issues. I am optimistic that our Strategic Partnership will continue to flourish.”

After the meeting, PM Netanyahu also shared on X, “I had the honor of meeting India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, at my office in Jerusalem this evening.”

Earlier on Tuesday, EAM Jaishankar had a discussion with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, where both sides evaluated the ongoing strategic partnership between India and Israel and its future progression.

Jaishankar mentioned on X, “It was an honor to meet President Isaac Herzog of Israel today. I conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We reviewed our Strategic Partnership and its continued enhancement. I reaffirmed India's commitment to fostering lasting peace in the region.”

President Herzog expressed his satisfaction in meeting with EAM Jaishankar, stating that they discussed avenues to strengthen strategic relationships and expand regional cooperation, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

“Meeting with S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, was a pleasure. We explored opportunities to reinforce strategic ties between Israel and India and the significance of enhancing regional cooperation, including the ambitious vision of IMEC,” the Israeli President mentioned on X.

Moreover, EAM Jaishankar met with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, where they examined methods to boost investment and innovation collaboration between the two nations.

“I had a productive meeting with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, in Jerusalem today. We discussed advancing our investment and innovation partnership and expressed optimism regarding the swift conclusion of the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement to further enhance our economic collaboration,” EAM posted on X.

Minister Barkat also expressed his pleasure in meeting EAM Jaishankar, stating, “We discussed the challenges related to the framework agreement ahead of the free trade agreement I signed with India about three weeks ago. This future agreement will open vast markets for Israel, remove trade barriers, and boost Israeli exports,” he shared on X.