Jerusalem, October 18
India and Israel on Monday agreed to resume talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) from next month as both sides are confident of ending the long-pending deal by June next year.
“It will end by June next year,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced after meeting alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
Israel has also joined the International Solar Alliance, a global initiative led by India, with Jaishankar and Israel’s Energy Minister Karine Elharer signing the agreement.
To ease travel between the two countries amid the Covid pandemic, India and Israel have also agreed to mutually recognize vaccination certificates.
Jaishankar, who arrived here on Sunday on his first visit to the country, will also meet President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
He will also interact with prominent academics, business community leaders and the Indian Jewish community from across Israel.
Jaishankar will also visit places of historical importance in India, showcasing his long-standing presence in the region and the constructive role he has played in shaping the region’s history.
India and Israel escalated bilateral ties into a Strategic Partnership during the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in July 2017.
Since then, relations between the two countries have focused on expanding knowledge-based partnerships, including collaboration in innovation and research, including promoting ‘Make in India’ initiatives, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement before his departure. Is. PTI