New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said the Indian and Israeli officials have agreed on the resumption of free trade negotiations, adding talks in this regard will start in November this year.
Jaishankar said the officials of both sides “have actually agreed on resumption” of India-Israel free trade negotiations.
READ: China's GDP Declines, Growth Slows Down To 4.9% In September Quarter
“Starting the negotiating process, talks will start in November and they are very confident that they'd be able to conclude negotiations by next June,” he said after meeting his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in Tel Aviv.
The External Affairs Minister said that he held “very productive talks” with his Israeli counterpart where they discussed a wide range of regional and global issues, including the in-principle agreement on mutual recognition of Covid vaccination certification.
“Another issue on which we've been working on is how to travel in Covid era. In principle, we have agreed on, mutual recognition of our vaccine certification process. While we're working that out in interim, Israel would allow people with Covishield vaccines to travel to Israel," Jaishankar said, ANI reported.
“I'm also very happy at the inauguration of the Women and STEM mini-conference on November 24, where women scientists from both sides participate. I think that's again a very rich, very representative of the direction in which our relationship has moved,” he added.
The External Affairs Minister also thanked Israel for joining International Solar Alliance.
"Welcomed Israel as the newest member of @isolaralliance," Jaishankar tweeted.
The External Affairs Minister on Monday also paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem in Israel.
“Paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust at @yadvashem. This memorial is a testimony to the human spirit of resilience and strengthens our resolve to fight evil,” he tweeted.
Earlier, he unveiled a plaque in Israel commemorating the Bhoodan Grove planted by Sarvodaya workers in 1960.
“Started the day by unveiling a plaque commemorating the Bhoodan Grove planted by Sarvodaya workers in 1960. India-Israel relations have many facets and many contributors,” he posted on the micro-blogging platform.
Jaishankar, who earlier on Sunday held a productive meeting with members of the Israeli chambers of commerce, said there are several priority areas for collaboration, including the health sector, agriculture and green growth.
“A productive meeting with Israeli chambers of commerce and the innovation ecosystem. Appreciate their visible enthusiasm for doing more partnerships with India. Many post-Covid priorities including digital, health, agriculture and green growth are natural areas for our collaboration," he tweeted.
This ongoing visit is Jaishankar’s first to the country as the External Affairs Minister.
Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to the country, is also slated to meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.