The sweeping set of outcomes reflects the joint decision by Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to elevate the relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership,” signalling a decisive new phase in ties that have steadily deepened since full diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
Photo: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Israel on Thursday culminated in the signing of 17 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), agreements and implementation protocols spanning advanced technology, agriculture, fintech, education, labour mobility, culture and strategic planning, marking one of the most expansive outcome documents in the history of bilateral ties.
The sweeping set of outcomes reflects the joint decision by Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to elevate the relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership,” signalling a decisive new phase in ties that have steadily deepened since full diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
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A dominant theme of the visit was future-oriented technology collaboration. An MoU on cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) lays the foundation for joint development, ethical AI frameworks, civilian applications, and public–private partnerships.
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Complementing this is a Declaration of Intent on “Horizon Scanning,” designed to enhance strategic foresight, risk assessment, and long-term technology planning through joint research and AI-driven analytical tools.
Education and innovation were also brought into the technology fold through an MoU focused on AI-powered, human-centric learning models. The agreement envisions cooperation in pedagogy reform, teacher training, regulatory best practices, equitable access to emerging technologies, and strengthening data and AI literacy for future-ready education systems.
Cybersecurity cooperation was expanded through a Letter of Intent to establish an Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India, aimed at showcasing best practices, strengthening digital resilience, and fostering collaboration among government agencies, industry, and academia.
Fintech emerged as another key pillar. An MoU between NPCI International (NIPL) and Israel’s MASAV will enable cross-border remittances using India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), paving the way for seamless digital transactions between the two countries.
Financial sector collaboration was further reinforced through an agreement between India’s International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), promoting cooperation in financial services, fintech innovation, and regulatory technology.
Both sides also announced the launch of a Financial Dialogue to deepen regulatory coordination and institutional engagement.
Agriculture, long regarded as a cornerstone of India–Israel cooperation, received renewed strategic attention. An MoU between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Israel’s MASHAV will establish the India–Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA), focused on next-generation solutions such as precision farming, satellite-based irrigation, advanced agricultural machinery, and integrated pest management.
The partnership will also facilitate germplasm exchange, field demonstrations, post-harvest innovation, and capacity building. An additional MoU on Fisheries and Aquaculture will promote sustainable, technology-driven systems in mariculture, disease management, seaweed cultivation, and aquaculture innovation. The two sides also announced 20 joint fellowships in agricultural research and increased funding contributions for collaborative research calls.
Expanding cooperation into new domains, the countries signed an MoU on geophysical exploration to advance mineral exploration using cutting-edge geophysical and AI technologies, encouraging data sharing, investment flows, and sustainable resource development. Another agreement will support collaboration on the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, celebrating shared maritime history through exhibitions, research initiatives, and the exchange of expertise.
Cultural diplomacy was strengthened through a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026–2029, which will foster collaboration in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and other creative disciplines through festivals, workshops, and expert exchanges.
In higher education, Nalanda University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem signed an MoU to promote faculty and student exchanges in disciplines ranging from Buddhist studies and archaeology to mathematics and international relations. The leaders also announced the creation of an India–Israel Academic Cooperation Forum to deepen institutional linkages between universities and research ecosystems.
Labour mobility emerged as a major component of the visit. Three implementation protocols were signed to enable regulated recruitment of Indian workers in Israel across commerce and services, manufacturing, and the restaurant sector.
The sectors covered include retail, logistics, warehousing, hospitality, food processing, textiles, electronics, chemicals, and other industrial segments. Notably, both sides agreed on a quota of up to 50,000 Indian workers over the next five years, expanding structured employment pathways for skilled and semi-skilled professionals.
Legal and commercial engagement was enhanced through an agreement between the Israeli Institute of Commercial Arbitration and the Indian Council of Arbitration, promoting knowledge exchange, best practices, and joint training in arbitration and mediation.
The presentation of the report of the 4th India–Israel CEO Forum, held in Israel in November 2025, offered policy recommendations aimed at aligning public policy with industry trends and strengthening public–private collaboration. Parliamentary ties were also institutionalised with the announcement of an India–Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Beyond the signed documents, the leaders unveiled a set of strategic initiatives that frame the long-term direction of the partnership. These include the formal elevation of ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, upgrading the Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology to the ministerial level, launching a Critical and Emerging Technologies initiative led by the National Security Advisors, and establishing a Tech-Gateway Initiative to accelerate innovation-led collaboration.
Taken together, the agreements and announcements reflect a broad-based, future-oriented partnership anchored in technology, innovation ecosystems, economic integration, and people-to-people connectivity.
As India and Israel navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical and technological landscape, the scale and scope of the outcomes signal not merely an expansion of cooperation, but a conscious effort to institutionalize collaboration across sectors central to 21st-century growth, resilience, and strategic security.
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