NEW DELHI, 8 September, 2025: India and Israel have signed a ‘Bilateral Investment Agreement’ (BIT), by the visiting controversial Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The Israeli Finance Minister belongs to the Far Right ‘National Union–Tkuma’ party. He has been sanctioned by many countries including UK, Australia, Canada, Norway, New Zealand. Holland and Slovenia have banned his entry in their countries for his actions.
The Indian Government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) said, ” The Agreement marks historic milestone in the relation of two countries. The agreement is expected to boost investments, provide greater certainty and protection for investors, facilitating the growth of trade and mutual investments by ensuring a minimum standard of treatment, and an independent dispute resolution mechanism through arbitration. The Agreement also includes provisions to safeguard investments against expropriation, ensure transparency, and enable smooth transfers and compensation for losses. At the same time, it carefully balances investor protection with the State’s regulatory rights, preserving sufficient policy space for sovereign governance.
” Talking to ANI, Shmuel Abramzon, Chief Economist at Israel’s Ministry of Finance, said this agreement will bring “clarity and stability” to investors in both countries.
“We already have investments from both sides, and we want to increase that. This is what the agreement does,” Abramzon said.
“We already have investments from both sides, and we want to increase that. This is what the agreement does,” Abramzon said.
He believes that this BIT will also pave the way for a free trade agreement. “I believe it will also pave the way to free trade agreements.”
