Key Points

Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Israel’s Economy Minister Nir Barkat met in Paris to discuss expanding trade between India and Israel. They focused on diversifying their trade basket and fostering collaborations in high-tech and emerging sectors. Goyal further addressed the India-France Business Conference, underscoring India as a promising avenue for French firms. In addition to these discussions, Goyal also met with key figures from France, the WTO, and Saudi Arabia to strengthen economic ties worldwide.

Key Points: Piyush Goyal and Nir Barkat Expand India-Israel Trade Ties

  • Goyal and Barkat aim to diversify trade and boost innovation
  • Meeting held during Goyal's visit to France
  • Goyal also highlights opportunities with France and Saudi Arabia
4 min read

Union Minister Goyal, Israel's Economy Minister Barkat discuss diversifying trade basket, fostering innovation

Union Minister Goyal and Israel's Barkat explore diversified trade and innovation ties in Paris.

"Our discussions focused on diversifying our trade basket, fostering innovation. - Piyush Goyal"

Paris, June 4

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met with Israel's Minister of Economy Nir Barkat in Paris on Tuesday (local time). The discussions focused on diversifying the trade basket, fostering innovation, and strengthening cooperation in high-tech and emerging sectors.

In a post shared on X, Piyush Goyal stated, "Excellent meeting with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry, @NirBarkat, in Paris. Our discussions focused on diversifying our trade basket, fostering innovation, and strengthening cooperation in high-tech and emerging sectors, paving the way for the next phase of our partnership."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1929973588729159858

Goyal addressed the India-France Business Conference, highlighting the 'India Opportunity', driven by a skilled and talented workforce and the government's commitment to ease of doing business, and how it offers promising avenues for French firms.

During the interaction, Goyal encouraged companies from India and France to collaborate by building on shared interests and leveraging each other's competencies. He emphasised that deeper engagement between the businesses of the two nations will play a key role in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and France.

In a post on X, Goyal stated, "It was a pleasure to address the India-France Business Conference, which brought together several Indian and French companies. Highlighted the 'India Opportunity', driven by a skilled & talented workforce and the government's commitment to ease of doing business, and how it offers promising avenues for French companies. Encouraged companies from both sides to collaborate by building on shared interests and leveraging each other's competencies. Deeper engagement between our businesses will play a significant role in further strengthening the India-France strategic partnership."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1929973588729159858

He also addressed the India-France CEO Forum Small Group Meeting in Paris, along with Laurent Saint-Martin, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad. Goyal highlighted how French companies believe in the India story and how the two nations are committed to advancing economic and trade relations and cultivating a smarter future together.

In a post on X, Goyal stated, "Addressed the India-France CEO Forum Small Group Meeting today in Paris along with French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad @LaurentSMartin. During the interactive discussion, attended by Indian & French companies, we covered a wide range of aspects of India-France cooperation, including technology, AI, education, and startups. I further highlighted how French companies believe in the India story and how both sides are committed to advancing economic and trade relations and cultivating a smarter future together."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1929911677354684454

Piyush Goyal met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Paris and emphasised India's commitment to strengthening a fair, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system.

"Had a productive meeting with @NOIweala, Director General of @WTO, in Paris. Emphasised India's commitment to help strengthen a fair, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system," Goyal posted on X.

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1929904900898517394

He also met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce, Majid Al-Kassabi, and discussed enhancing bilateral trade and exploring new investment opportunities.

Sharing details regarding his meeting with Saudi Arabia's counterpart on X, Goyal wrote, "Held a productive meeting with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce H.E. @MAlKassabi. Discussed enhancing bilateral trade, exploring new investment opportunities, and strengthening our economic partnership."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1929890861006966930

Piyush Goyal held a meeting with French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, Laurent Saint-Martin, on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two leaders explored new avenues to enhance bilateral trade and investments and facilitate business-to-business engagement.

After his meeting with Saint-Martin, Goyal on X wrote, "Good meeting with the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, @LaurentSMartin. Explored new avenues to enhance bilateral trade and investments, and facilitate business-to-business engagement. We also reaffirmed our shared commitment to making technology a new cornerstone of the Indo-French economic partnership, especially in the context of the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation 2026."

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1929881427115397378

The discussions, which took place during Goyal's three-day official visit to France, also reviewed the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, signalling a strong intent to bolster bilateral ties amidst a shared commitment to innovation and economic growth. Goyal commenced his three-day official visit to France on Sunday. After concluding his visit to France, Piyush Goyal will travel to Italy.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Good to see India expanding tech partnerships with Israel. Their innovation ecosystem is world-class and we have much to gain from collaboration in agriculture tech and cybersecurity. Hope this translates to more job opportunities for our engineers! 🇮🇳🤝🇮🇱
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Priya M.
While I appreciate the focus on innovation, I hope our ministers also discuss technology transfer agreements that benefit Indian startups. Too often these partnerships only help foreign companies access our market without building local capacity.
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Amit S.
France and India make excellent partners - both value strategic autonomy and have strong tech talent. The Year of Innovation 2026 sounds promising! Maybe we'll finally see some joint semiconductor projects materialize.
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Sunita R.
So many meetings, but when will we see actual results? The India-EU FTA has been "under negotiation" for over a decade now. Our exporters need market access, not just photo ops in Paris.
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Vikram J.
The Saudi trade discussions interest me most - with our growing energy needs and their Vision 2030 diversification, this could be a win-win. Maybe we'll get better dates imports too! 😄
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Neha P.
As a startup founder, I'm excited about the AI and education collaborations mentioned. If this helps Indian students access better tech education and creates more R&D centers here, it could transform our innovation landscape in 5-10 years.

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