Jerusalem, 18 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An Israeli delegation will depart for New Delhi this Monday to begin the first round of practical negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with India, marking a significant step in deepening economic ties between the two countries, Israel’s Ministry of Economy and Industry announced on Wednesday.
The talks follow the signing of a framework agreement last November by Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat, and his Indian counterpart, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, which formally launched the negotiation process.
“The trade agreements with India are the next big thing for the Israeli economy,” Barkat said. “Thanks to the warm relationship and personal trust that I have built with my friend, Economy Minister Piyush Goyal, and with the support of Foreign Minister Jaishankar, we are upgrading relations to the highest level. The delegation that is now leaving is a significant step towards a free trade agreement that will combine Israeli entrepreneurship with Indian power. This is a strategic step that will inject billions into the economy and will constitute a new economic backbone that will ensure Israel’s resilience and growth for decades to come.”
The Israeli delegation, led by the ministry’s Foreign Trade Administration, includes experts in customs, regulation, services, intellectual property, and government procurement. They will meet with their Indian counterparts to formulate a comprehensive agreement designed to remove trade barriers and provide a competitive advantage to Israeli industry in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
India, the world’s fifth-largest economy with a population of roughly 1.4 billion, is a strategic destination for Israeli exports. Exports of Israeli goods and services to India reached about $3.1 billion in 2024, growing 56% over four years. A free trade agreement aims to reduce high tariffs and trade barriers while also addressing digital trade, services, intellectual property, government procurement, and other areas essential for deepening cooperation.
Despite a roughly 50% increase in Israeli exports to India over the past five years, officials say the economic potential remains far from realized due to existing trade barriers and some of the highest tariffs in the world on technology products, chemicals, medical devices, and advanced agricultural goods. A free trade agreement is expected to open doors for Israeli companies to compete for major government tenders in India’s modernization programs.
Most recently, the Israeli company IDE won a tender in December to build a reverse osmosis desalination plant in southern India, which will supply high-quality water to residents of Mullakadu and Tuticorin in the southeast Indian district of Tamil Nadu.
“The Israeli delegation is leaving for New Delhi with a structured work plan and a clear goal: to create a modern, balanced, and broad-ranging agreement,” said Roy Fisher, Director of the Export and International Cooperation Division and Head of the Foreign Trade Administration. “The potential inherent in the combination of Israeli innovation and the strength of the Indian market is enormous, and we are determined to advance the talks effectively in order to bring real achievements to our exporters and industrialists.”
The timing also coincides with Indian Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Israel. Modi is due to arrive in Israel on Sunday for a two-day visit.
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