India and Israel began FTA talks in New Delhi, aiming to boost trade and tech cooperation ahead of Modi’s visit.

On February 23, 2026, India and Israel began the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement in New Delhi. The talks are scheduled to end on the 26th. Trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, customs procedures, intellectual property, and technical barriers are all discussed by technical experts from both countries. The talks take place as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to make his second trip to Israel as part of a state visit. In addition to increasing bilateral trade, which hit $3.62 billion in FY 2024–2025, both parties hope to fortify their collaboration in high-tech manufacturing, innovation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and services. The FTA comes after previous agreements, such as a formal Terms of Reference and Bilateral Investment Agreement signed in 2025. Both countries are hopeful that the deal will be finalized in 2026.