NewKerala.com

India-Israel FTA Talks Begin as Modi Visits, 50,000 Workers to Go

An Israeli negotiating team is currently in India to conduct the first round of talks for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. The announcement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a state visit to Israel, where the relationship was elevated to a Special Strategic Partnership. A key outcome is a new implementation protocol that will facilitate the safe movement of Indian workers, with a potential quota of up to 50,000 skilled professionals over the next five years. The visit yielded substantial agreements, including 17 MoUs and 10 major announcements spanning technology, agriculture, and parliamentary cooperation.

Key Points: India-Israel Launch FTA Talks, Boost Strategic Partnership

  • Israeli team in India for FTA talks
  • New Special Strategic Partnership announced
  • Quota for 50,000 Indian workers to Israel
  • 17 MoUs and 10 key announcements made
  • Bilateral financial dialogue launched
2 min read

Israeli team is in India to negotiate FTA terms: MEA

Israeli team in India for FTA negotiations. Modi, Netanyahu elevate ties, announce 50,000 Indian worker quota and new financial dialogue.

"We will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. - Narendra Modi"

Jerusalem, February 26

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday said that a negotiating team from Israel is in India to negotiate the terms of a free trade agreement.

Misri said that both parties have decided to launch a bilateral financial dialogue.

"In September 2024, the two countries signed a bilateral investment agreement, and today, a negotiating team from Israel is in India for the first round of negotiations on concluding a free trade agreement between the two countries. To complete this triad, the two sides have also decided to launch a bilateral financial dialogue," the Foreign Secretary said.

Addressing a press briefing, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded his state visit to Israel, undertaken at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"In recent years, mobility has been a sunrise sector of cooperation between the two countries, and considerable progress has been made. Nearly 42,000 Indian skilled workers have travelled to Israel in recent years. Today, the signing of the implementation protocol on commerce and services, manufacturing, and the restaurant sectors will open up these sectors for mobility cooperation and facilitate the safe and secure movement of Indian nationals and Indian workers in these sectors in Israel. There is also a broad consensus that up to 50,000 Indian workers may arrive in Israel within the next five years to work in these sectors."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a joint press briefing with Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, said that India and Israel will soon give final shape to the trade agreement.

He said,"We will soon give final shape to a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement."

The meeting yielded several outcomes, with 17 MoUs and 10 announcements.

The announcements included- Elevation of relationship to Special Strategic Partnership; JCM on Science and Technology elevated to Ministerial level; Initiative to collaborate in Critical and Emerging Technologies led by National Security Advisors; Financial Dialogue; Tech-Gateway Initiative; 20 Joint Fellowships in Agricultural Research; Increase of contribution of both sides for the Joint Research Calls; Quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next 5 years; India-Israel Academic Cooperation Forum; India- Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the economic benefits are clear, I hope the government ensures strong safeguards for the 50,000 Indian workers going to Israel. Their safety, fair wages, and working conditions must be the top priority in any agreement.
R
Rohit P
Great news for job creation! The mobility sector is booming. Sending skilled workers abroad brings valuable remittances and experience. Hope this agreement includes provisions for skill transfer so they can contribute even more when they return.
S
Sarah B
The elevation to a Special Strategic Partnership is significant. Israel is a leader in agriculture (drip irrigation) and defense tech. Collaborating in these areas can be a game-changer for Indian farmers and our domestic manufacturing.
V
Vikram M
With all due respect, I feel we must tread carefully. While economic ties are important, our foreign policy has traditionally been balanced. We must ensure this deepening partnership with Israel does not negatively impact our long-standing relationships in the Gulf region, which are crucial for energy security and our diaspora.
K
Karthik V
The Tech-Gateway Initiative and joint fellowships sound excellent! This is how we build knowledge-based economies. Hope our startups and students get maximum benefit from this collaboration. Jai Hind!

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

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50