Shalom, Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Israel for a state visit on Wednesday, his second trip to the country and a rare high-level moment that comes after months of visible movement in the bilateral relationship.

- INBAR ASHKENAZI, (£0 jerusalem Post Group

India’s Prime Minister’s Office said Modi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would review progress in strategic partnership and discuss next steps across defense and security, science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, trade, the economy, and people-to-people ties. Modi is also expected to meet President Isaac Herzog.

In November, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Israel and signed the Terms of Reference to begin structured negotiations for an India-Israel free trade agreement. India’s Press Information Bureau described that signing as a significant milestone and reported more than 250 B2B meetings during the visit, alongside forums bringing together business and government leaders from both sides.

In September, India and Israel also signed the Bilateral Investment Agreement in New Delhi. India’s Finance Ministry said it was designed to provide greater certainty and protection for investors, including arbitration-based dispute resolution, while preserving states’ regulatory rights. It also said bilateral investments then stood at about $800 million and highlighted cooperation areas including fintech, infrastructure, financial regulation, and digital payments.