Second Round Ends
Key Highlights
- India and Israel conclude second FTA negotiation round.
- Talks covered goods, services, customs, and IPR.
- Both sides discussed trade facilitation and market access.
- Negotiations focused on narrowing differences.
- Governments aim for an early comprehensive agreement.
- Bilateral merchandise trade stood at $3.93 billion in FY26.
- FTA expected to strengthen economic cooperation.
New Delhi: India and Israel have successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking another step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The negotiations, held in New Delhi from July 20 to July 23, included detailed discussions on trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, customs procedures, trade facilitation, and broader economic cooperation.
According to the Commerce Ministry, both delegations engaged in constructive and forward-looking discussions aimed at reducing differences and identifying common ground across multiple negotiating chapters.
Officials said both countries remain committed to concluding a balanced, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement that will expand trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
India and Israel enjoy complementary strengths across several sectors, and policymakers believe the proposed FTA will create new opportunities for businesses and enhance bilateral trade. Merchandise trade between the two countries stood at approximately USD 3.93 billion during FY2025-26.
