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As Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Israel, Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat described India as a “gateway to Asia” and said a long-pending India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could be finalised sooner than expected.
Speaking in an interview with NDTV, Barkat highlighted the strong people-to-people bond between the two countries and said the close relationship between Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has helped deepen bilateral cooperation.
Barkat said FTA negotiations are now on a fast track, gaining momentum after the visit of India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Israel last year. He expressed optimism that an agreement could be achieved as early as 2026.
Explaining India’s importance, Barkat said Israel’s innovation strength complements India’s scale, calling the country a natural bridge to the wider Asian market. He also reiterated Israel’s support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing it as a broader economic and connectivity vision beyond transport alone.
Welcoming Indian investment, Barkat praised the Adani Group’s role at the Port of Haifa, and said Israel is keen to see more Indian participation in infrastructure, manufacturing, and joint defence production under the “Make in India” framework.
