India offers major investment opportunities for Israeli businesses, says Piyush Goyal
18/10/2025: Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, addresses a press conference along with Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Corporate Affairs of India along with Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways of India at National Media Centre in New Delhi on October 18, 2025. Photo by:
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Shashi Shekhar Kashyap/ The Hindu
India offers huge investment opportunities for Israeli businesses and the industries of both sides can enhance cooperation in areas like infrastructure development, manufacturing and artificial intelligence, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.
He said the other areas of collaboration between the two countries include fintech, agri tech, machine learning, quantum computing, pharmaceuticals, space and defence.
“There are unlimited possibilities and potential between the two countries,” he said here while addressing the India-Israel Business Summit along with Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy of Israel. This is for the first time an Indian commerce minister is visiting Israel.
Goyal is leading a 60-member business delegation to Israel. He will meet leaders and businesses to discuss ways to boost bilateral trade and investments.
India’s competitive edge
The minister said there are 10 ‘Ds’ that make India an attractive investment destination. These include democracy, demographic dividend, digitalisation, fast pace development and decisive leadership.
“India offers investor-friendly and predictable atmosphere to do business. It offers huge opportunities for businesses of both sides,” Goyal added.
Speaking at the event, Barkat said India is a great “bet for us”.
“India is a next big thing….Indian infrastructure companies can come here and bid,” he said.
IMEC’s strategic push
Barkat added that India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) also provides an opportunity for increasing collaboration.
Billed as a path-breaking initiative, IMEC envisages a vast road, railroad and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the US, and Europe to ensure integration among Asia, the Middle East, and West.
The IMEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023.
“IMEC is an amazing idea,” he said.
During 2024-25, India’s exports to Israel dipped 52 per cent to USD 2.14 billion from USD 4.52 billion in 2023-24. Imports, too, fell 26.2 per cent to USD 1.48 billion.
During April 2000 and June 2025, India received USD 337.77 million foreign direct investment (FDI) from Israel.
Published on November 20, 2025
