India and Israel elevate ties to special strategic partnership and advance mutually beneficial FTA

Key facts

• India and Israel elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel.
• Both sides agreed to soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• India and Israel signed multiple agreements to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payment.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extremely fruitful and wide-ranging talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity.
• Modi and Herzog planted an oak tree at the President’s residence as a symbol of friendship and shared future.
• Prime Minister Modi addressed the Knesset, becoming the first Indian to speak in Israel’s Parliament.
• Modi voiced strong support for the Gaza peace initiative and stated that terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere.
• The Speaker of the Knesset conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on Prime Minister Modi for his exceptional contribution to strengthening India-Israel strategic relations.