PM Modi's Vision: Strengthening India's Trade and Investment Ties with Israel
Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes India's commitment to enhancing trade and investment with Israel during his historic address to the Knesset. The aim is to unlock new opportunities and collaborate on innovative projects.
Key Takeaways
Strengthening Trade: India aims to enhance its trade relations with Israel through a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.
Investment Confidence: The Bilateral Investment Treaty provides predictability for businesses.
Innovation Focus: Collaboration in technology sectors like AI and quantum technologies is a priority.
Agricultural Development: Israeli expertise in irrigation is transforming Indian agriculture.
Expansion of Centres: Plans to increase training centres for farmers to improve agricultural practices.
Tel Aviv, Feb 25 (NationPress) India is dedicated to enhancing trade, bolstering investment flows, and fostering collaborative infrastructure initiatives with Israel. The Bilateral Investment Treaty established last year aims to instill confidence and predictability in our business engagements, stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
During his landmark speech at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament—marking the first address by an Indian Prime Minister—Modi emphasized that India has finalized several significant trade agreements with various nations in recent years.
"To your West, the European Union and the UK. To your East, the UAE and Oman. Our bilateral trade in goods with Israel has surged tremendously in recent years. However, it still does not fully capture the vast potential that exists. Thus, our teams are diligently negotiating a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that will unlock extensive opportunities in our trade partnership," PM Modi highlighted.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that both nations will closely collaborate in various frameworks, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the I2U2 alliance involving India, Israel, the UAE, and the US.
"Israel is often recognized as the 'start-up nation'. Recently, we have been working to harness the innovation and creativity of our youth. I recall that in 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu and I inaugurated the iCreate Technology Business Incubator in India, which has since supported nearly 900 start-ups," asserted PM Modi.
Last week, India hosted the world's largest and most democratized AI Impact Summit, with participation from representatives across 100 nations.
"Our ambitious spirit aligns seamlessly with Israel’s innovation ecosystem. I see immense synergies in sectors such as quantum technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. We are also collaborating with Israel to establish cross-border financial connections utilizing our Digital Public Infrastructure," PM Modi emphasized.
"I mentioned how awe-inspiring we found Israel's agricultural success in arid regions. Israeli expertise in precision irrigation and water management has significantly transformed agricultural practices in India," he added.
"Together, we have set up 43 Centres of Excellence across India, providing training to over half a million farmers. We should now aim to expand to 100 Centres to benefit millions of farmers and fishermen," the Prime Minister concluded.
Point of View
It's clear that Prime Minister Modi's address marks a significant step in enhancing India's international trade relations. The focus on collaboration with Israel, especially in innovation and agriculture, signals a promising avenue for economic growth and development in both nations.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main objectives of the Bilateral Investment Treaty with Israel?
The Bilateral Investment Treaty aims to enhance confidence and predictability for businesses, promoting trade and joint infrastructure development between India and Israel.
How has India's trade with Israel changed recently?
In recent years, India's bilateral goods trade with Israel has increased significantly, indicating a growing economic relationship between the two countries.
What is the iCreate Technology Business Incubator?
The iCreate Technology Business Incubator, inaugurated in 2018, supports start-ups in India, helping to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.
What sectors are India and Israel collaborating on?
India and Israel are collaborating in sectors such as quantum technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and agricultural innovation.
What is the goal for Centres of Excellence in India?
The goal is to expand the existing 43 Centres of Excellence to 100, benefiting millions of farmers and fishermen through enhanced training and resources.
