JERUSALEM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) – The Israeli and Indian foreign ministers agreed in Jerusalem on Monday to resume negotiations on the establishment of a free trade area between the two countries.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visiting Israel and his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid decided during their meeting to renew negotiations around an agreement on the creation of a free trade area , Mr. Lapid’s office said in a statement.
The office said it wanted the deal to be finalized by mid-2022.
The ministers also agreed on the mutual recognition of their COVID-19 vaccination certificates, as well as on the expansion of cooperation in the fields of water and agriculture.
“We have seen India as a major ally for many years,” Lapid said, adding that India also brings new opportunities for cooperation.
Jaishankar, who arrived in the Jewish state on Sunday, also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and is expected to attend the International Air Force’s Blue Flag exercise, a two-week exercise that began in Israel on Sunday.
Jaishankar also spoke with Israeli businessmen and called for strengthening trade relations between the two nations.
The two countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their official diplomatic relations next week. End
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