What’s on the Agenda for EAM Jaishankar’s Visit to Israel?

EAM Jaishankar's Diplomatic Mission to Israel

Jerusalem: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has landed in Israel for a two-day diplomatic visit, where he is set to engage with the nation's leadership on various bilateral and regional matters.

This visit is particularly timely as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for an upcoming trip to India.

Following a recent phone conversation between Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both leaders expressed eagerness to meet in the near future.

During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet with key figures including Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar.

Sources indicate that the discussions will focus on enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Israel, addressing both bilateral and regional concerns.

Jaishankar's journey to Tel Aviv follows his participation in the prestigious Sir Bani Yas Forum in Abu Dhabi, where he also attended the 16th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting and the 5th round of the India-UAE Strategic Dialogue on December 15.

Netanyahu's anticipated visit to India is expected to be preceded by a series of high-level interactions between the two nations.

Earlier this year, several Israeli ministers, including those of Tourism, Economy, Agriculture, and Finance, visited India to foster momentum towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

In September, India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during Smotrich's visit to New Delhi, followed by the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the proposed FTA during Minister Piyush Goyal's visit to Israel last month.

In the defense sector, both countries recently finalized a significant agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation in defense, industry, and technology, facilitating the sharing of advanced technologies for co-development and co-production.

Cultural and academic collaborations have also seen growth, with initiatives such as film festivals, dance performances, and filmmaker exchanges designed to strengthen ties between the peoples of India and Israel.

On Monday, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Tel Aviv University formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an India Chair at the university, further promoting academic collaboration.