New Delhi: India and Israel on Thursday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership and signed 17 agreements spanning artificial intelligence, agriculture, fintech, labour mobility and geophysical exploration during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two day visit to Israel.
The elevation of ties was accompanied by a dense package of sector specific instruments that deepen technology integration, expand labour mobility channels and institutionalise regulatory and financial coordination between the two governments.
Among the key agreements was a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in geophysical exploration, aimed at expanding mineral collaboration through advanced mapping technologies and AI driven analytics, with provisions for data sharing and investment promotion. Another MoU provided for joint development support to the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat, promoting collaboration on exhibitions, research and maritime heritage documentation.
Technology and innovation formed a central pillar of the visit. A broad based MoU on artificial intelligence committed both sides to cooperation in ethical AI, civilian applications, research exchange and capacity building. A separate agreement on advancing education through AI focused on AI powered pedagogy, teacher development, regulatory frameworks and integration of data literacy into learning systems. A Declaration of Intent on horizon scanning established a mechanism for strategic foresight, risk assessment and long term technology planning through joint research and AI enabled tools.
In agriculture, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and MASHAV signed an MoU to establish the India Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture, aimed at next generation technologies including precision farming, satellite based irrigation, advanced machinery and integrated pest management. The visit also announced 20 joint fellowships in agricultural research and an increase in financial contributions for joint research calls.
Financial and payment connectivity advanced through an MoU between NPCI International and MASAV to enable cross border remittances using the Unified Payments Interface. The International Financial Services Centres Authority and the Israel Securities Authority signed a separate MoU to strengthen cooperation in financial services, fintech and regulatory practices. The two sides also agreed to launch a structured Financial Dialogue.
Labour mobility emerged as one of the most concrete outcomes. Three implementation protocols were signed covering commerce and services, manufacturing, and the restaurant sector. These establish regulated recruitment channels across sectors such as retail, logistics, warehousing, food processing, textiles, metals, electronics and hospitality. An announcement set a quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years.
Cooperation expanded into fisheries and aquaculture through an MoU on sustainable and technology driven systems, including mariculture, disease management and seaweed cultivation. A Letter of Intent provided for the establishment of an Indo Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India to showcase cybersecurity practices and foster collaboration among government, industry and academia.
Institutional linkages were further strengthened through an agreement between the Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration and the Indian Council of Arbitration, and an MoU between Nalanda University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for faculty and student exchanges in disciplines including Buddhist studies, archaeology, mathematics and international relations. The fourth India Israel CEO Forum presented its joint report to both governments during the visit.
At the strategic level, both countries agreed to elevate the Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology to the ministerial level and to launch an initiative on critical and emerging technologies led by the two National Security Advisors. An India Israel Academic Cooperation Forum and a Parliamentary Friendship Group were also announced.
