India and Israel Upgrade Bilateral Ties to Special Strategic Partnership During Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's Visit

Key facts

• PM Narendra Modi concluded a historic two-day visit to Israel, marking the first visit by an Indian leader in nine years.
• India and Israel agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership.
• A total of 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two nations, spanning sectors such as innovation, cultural exchange, manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• The two countries announced the establishment of a Critical and Emerging Technology Partnership to deepen cooperation in the technology and innovation sectors.
• PM Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu committed to finalising a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and holding a government-to-government (G2G) meeting in India.
• Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 group.
• PM Modi called on President Isaac Herzog and planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.
• The PM visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, to pay homage to victims and visited the Book of Names Hall.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the leaders explored enhanced cooperation in education, start-ups, quantum computing, and security.