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Israel Envoy Praises India-US Trade Deal, Sees Tri-Nation Cooperation Boost

Israel's Ambassador to India has welcomed the recent India-US trade deal as a significant development that opens new avenues for tripartite economic cooperation. This comes as India and Israel have formally launched negotiations for their own comprehensive free trade agreement. In a parallel development, the two nations signed a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture, leveraging Israeli technology and India's resources. The collaboration aims to establish new Centres of Excellence and foster joint research in advanced aquaculture systems.

Key Points: Israel Hails India-US Trade Deal, Eyes Enhanced Tripartite Cooperation

  • Israel welcomes India-US trade deal
  • India-Israel FTA negotiations launched
  • New fisheries cooperation declaration signed
  • Focus on tech, aquaculture, and joint R&D
2 min read

Israeli envoy hails India-US trade deal

Israeli Ambassador welcomes India-US trade pact, highlighting opportunities for Israeli, Indian, and US companies alongside progressing India-Israel FTA talks.

"When the system opens, it creates more opportunities for Israeli, Indian, and US companies to work together. - Reuven Azar"

New Delhi, Feb 13

Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Friday, welcomed the India-US trade deal, terming it a "very important development", which opens more opportunities for economic cooperation.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Azar said, "As you know, Israel is also very engaged with the American market. We get about 80 per cent of our foreign investments from the United States, and Israel is the biggest innovation hub outside the United States."

"When the system opens, it creates more opportunities for Israeli, Indian, and US companies to work together," he added.

India and Israel have already signed the terms of reference that will guide negotiations for a balanced, comprehensive free trade agreement.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Israel's Economy Minister Nir Barkat signed the terms of reference document in Tel Aviv in November 2025 to formally launch negotiations for a comprehensive pact to boost trade, investment, and cooperation in technology, defence, and agriculture.

The two countries will hold further negotiations to move ahead on the issue.

"India and Israel also signed a joint ministerial declaration of intent, in January this year, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture recognising Israel's advanced technologies and innovations in the sector and India's vast aquatic resources," according to an official statement issued on Thursday.

The agreement was signed during the visit of a high-level Indian delegation, led by the Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, from January 13 to 15, 2026, to participate in the second global summit on "Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026" held at Eilat in Israel.

The joint declaration sets out a comprehensive framework for cooperation across multiple areas of mutual interest.

The key areas of collaboration include joint research and development in advanced aquaculture technologies such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), biofloc, cage culture, aquaponics, and aquarium systems, including oceanarium, expertise in breeding high-yield species.

It also includes pathogen-free seed improvement strategies and broodstock development.

A significant component of the cooperation will be exploring the establishment of new India-Israel Centres of Excellence for Fisheries and Aquaculture, on the similar line of the successful network of 43 agricultural Centres of Excellence already operational under India-Israel collaboration.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The focus on fisheries and aquaculture is brilliant! India has such a long coastline and vast resources. Partnering with Israel's tech can revolutionize this sector, create jobs, and improve food security. Hope the benefits reach our small-scale fishermen too.
R
Rohit P
Good move, but we must ensure these deals are truly balanced. Sometimes foreign agreements favor the tech-providing nation more. Our negotiators should secure good terms for technology transfer so that we build our own capabilities in the long run.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the diplomatic and economic web forming. The US-India-Israel triangle is becoming a significant axis for innovation. As an expat working here, I see firsthand how these partnerships can attract investment and talent.
V
Vikram M
The Centres of Excellence model in agriculture has been a game-changer in many states. Replicating that for fisheries is a smart, proven strategy. More such collaborations in water management and desert farming would be welcome!
K
Karthik V
While the economic angle is clear, we must also be mindful of the geopolitical implications. Stronger ties with both the US and Israel need to be managed carefully with our other traditional relationships and our own strategic autonomy.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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