Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of high-level meetings in Israel this week, boosting bilateral cooperation in agriculture, technology, innovation, and trade, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
On November 21, Goyal met Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, for detailed discussions on enhancing agricultural collaboration. Dichter briefed him on Israel’s 25-year food-security roadmap, seed-improvement techniques, and globally recognised water-reuse technologies.
Goyal also visited the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation, where officials showcased cutting-edge innovations including drip-irrigation systems, stent technologies, the Iron Dome air-defence system, and several emerging virtual-reality solutions. He described the centre as “an inspiring institution that reflects Israel’s journey of creativity, innovation, and social impact,” according to the press statement.
As part of his tech-focused engagements, Goyal experienced Israel’s advancements in mobility through an autonomous-drive demonstration by Mobileye. He also visited Kibbutz Ramat Rachel to study its community-led model of sustainable agriculture and cooperative living.
A day earlier, on November 20, Goyal met Israel’s Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, to review bilateral trade and identify new areas of cooperation. Both leaders attended the India-Israel Business Forum, where industry representatives from both countries held B2B discussions on technology, agriculture, defence, advanced manufacturing, and innovation.
Addressing the forum, Goyal said India and Israel share a “trust-based foundation” and highlighted opportunities in fintech, agritech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, pharmaceuticals, space, and defence.
He also met Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, to discuss investment partnerships, financial-technology cooperation, and regulatory collaboration.
In outreach to industry, Goyal held discussions with senior leadership from major Israeli companies, including Check Point (cybersecurity), IDE Technologies (water solutions), NTA (metro projects), and Netafim (precision agriculture). Talks focused on cybersecurity, urban mobility, water and sewage management, and advanced irrigation solutions, areas important for India’s development goals.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement, with both sides expressing confidence that negotiations will progress positively toward a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement.
Goyal also interacted with Israeli media and members of the diamond industry, a long-standing pillar of India-Israel trade links. He later joined the India-Israel CEOs Forum with Minister Barkat, highlighting the strength and future potential of the bilateral economic partnership.
The Minister’s engagements underscored the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation across sectors strategically important to India and Israel.