External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meeting Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in New Delhi on May 9, 2023. , Photo Credit: PTI
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in New Delhi on May 9 that in future the Arab train network will carry Indian goods to the Israeli port of Haifa.
Addressing the India-Israel business forum organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr. Cohen announced support for increasing the Indian workforce in Israel and the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Delhi and urged Tel Aviv.
“Our vision is that Israel, the Gulf Arab countries and India are the gateway from East to West. Trade that comes from India will go to an Arab port and from there by train to the port of Haifa in Israel and from there to markets in Europe,” Mr. Cohen said, outlining a new regional connectivity and trade that will see the West Asian happening in the area.
The guest minister’s remarks on rail transport are an early indication of the size of connectivity projects that are emerging in India’s backyard in the West Asian region, covering major GCC economies such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates became the first Arab Gulf state to sign an agreement for normalization with Israel in 2020. The Israel-UAE agreement, known as the Abraham Accords peace deal, is to be followed by the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by both sides in May 2022.
Mr Cohen’s visit to Delhi and Mumbai comes against the backdrop of heightened talks between India and Israel as both sides prepare for a possible visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.
Both sides signed a framework agreement on facilitating temporary employment of Indian workers in specific labor sectors in Israel. According to a press release from the Israeli embassy, the agreement will cover “caregivers and construction workers”. The agreement is understood to be a “stepping stone” for both sides towards an FTA. India has been keen to get more work visas from Israel to get the FTA and Israel on its part is keen to seek “custom benefits” for agro technology products from the Indian side. Hindu It is learned that discussions are on between the issues and modalities of the FTA.
During the visit which was cut short due to the evolving security situation in Israel in connection with Operation Shield and Arrow, Mr Cohen met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Minister Did. Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Shri Shekhawat announced that an Indo-Israel Water Technology Center would be set up at IIT Roorkee.
Israeli Ambassador Nor Gillon said that in view of the situation in Gaza, the entire cabinet has been asked to be present in Jerusalem. Hindu, He said that the External Affairs Minister would not be able to travel to Agra and Goa as planned, but he completed all his meetings and his agenda in Delhi.
Anat Bernstein-Reich, president of the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce, who accompanied Mr. Cohen on his visit, supported the minister’s remarks, saying, “Currently bilateral trade is about $9 billion, but we want to grow it within a decade.” within 20 billion dollars and I think for this to happen India and Israel should sign a free trade agreement as close strategic partners should have an FTA. Ms Bernstein-Reich, who signed an MoU with CII, said the bilateral cooperation would benefit India’s growing trade ties with other powers, especially the I2U2 (Israel-India-US-UAE) partners.