India and Israel are actively negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) encompassing both goods and services, and the pact could be finalized in the very near future, according to Ofir Amami, Head of the Economic and Commercial Mission at the Embassy of Israel in New Delhi. Speaking exclusively to ANI on the sidelines of the National Summit on Telecom Security in the AI and Quantum Age, Amami expressed optimism about the progress of the talks.
Current Status of Negotiations
Amami confirmed that discussions are ongoing and that both sides are committed to deepening economic cooperation. "Currently, we're also in a discussion of a trade agreement between India and Israel. It's still a process ongoing and hopefully we'll be able to see it signed in the very near future," she stated. While she refrained from disclosing specific details, noting that it is "too early to dive into details" before the agreement is signed, she indicated that many areas have been discussed and there is strong political will from both nations to advance cooperation across multiple levels, including services and goods.
India's Proactive Trade Stance
Amami praised India's recent efforts to expand its global commerce through trade agreements, highlighting the proactive role of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. "India has proved that it's very quick when they want to advance a trade agreement. Minister Piyush Goyal is very proactive on the issue, and we see a lot of advances in that area globally with India recently. So hopefully, we can join this club very soon," she remarked. India has recently concluded or advanced FTAs with several countries, including the UAE, Australia, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations.
Technology and Cyber Cooperation
Beyond trade, Amami highlighted growing collaboration in technology sectors, particularly telecommunications, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). She described a panel discussion on these topics as a highlight of the summit, noting that both countries have significant potential to work together. Israel, known for its advanced cyber capabilities, views India as a trusted and like-minded partner. "We got to discuss a little bit about cooperation in the age of technology and around telecommunication and cyber. I think it's a very interesting topic to discuss," she said. Cyber cooperation is expanding beyond the defence sector, where ties are already robust, into civilian areas.
Impact of Geopolitical Dynamics
Asked whether changing dynamics in West Asia and recent diplomatic developments could boost trade, Amami affirmed that both countries are moving toward deeper economic engagement. "Definitely we're going in that direction in increasing trade, increasing cooperation," she said. The evolving regional landscape may create new opportunities for bilateral commerce.
Future Prospects
While no specific timeline for concluding the FTA was given, Amami expressed confidence that progress could be achieved soon. The proposed agreement is expected to enhance bilateral trade, which currently stands at around $10 billion annually, excluding defence deals. An FTA would likely reduce tariffs, streamline regulations, and boost investment flows between the two economies.
The interview underscores the strengthening ties between India and Israel, which established full diplomatic relations in 1992. Cooperation has expanded across agriculture, water technology, defence, and now digital and emerging technologies.
