Source The Hindu
JERUSALEM, December 16, 2025 — India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar, arrived in Israel today for a focused two-day official visit, where he is scheduled to hold extensive talks with the country’s top political leadership aimed at further enriching the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The visit comes days after a productive phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the leaders reportedly agreed to meet soon. This high-level engagement underscores the rapid momentum in India-Israel relations.
Agenda: Bilateral and Regional Focus
EAM Jaishankar’s itinerary includes meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and bilateral consultations with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Sources indicate that the discussions will focus on key bilateral, regional, and global issues, with an emphasis on advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership. Key areas of focus are expected to include:
Defence and Security: Building on Israel’s position as one of India’s top arms suppliers, talks will likely address ongoing joint development projects and co-production initiatives, especially those aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ vision.
Technology and Innovation: Leveraging the countries’ knowledge-based economies to expand cooperation in emerging fields like cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and promoting collaborations under the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F).
Trade and Economy: Reviewing progress towards the ambitious India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, the Terms of Reference for which were recently signed. Bilateral trade (excluding defence) reached over $10 billion in FY 2022-2023.
Agriculture and Water Management: Discussing the successful joint work plans on agriculture and cooperation in crucial areas like desalination and drip irrigation.
Building on Recent Momentum
The EAM’s visit follows a spate of high-level exchanges, including visits by Israeli ministers to India earlier this year. These visits have successfully advanced cooperation in areas such as finance, agriculture, and commerce, with the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and a renewed push for the FTA.
The engagement is also seen in the context of the evolving regional dynamics, particularly the I2U2 Group (India, Israel, UAE, and the US), which focuses on joint investments and initiatives across water, energy, transportation, and space.
Before concluding his short but intensive visit, Dr. Jaishankar is also expected to interact with members of the Indian-origin Jewish community and key business figures, including those from the flourishing Israeli hi-tech industries.
