Tel Aviv [Israel], November 22 (ANI): Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter to strengthen cooperation in agriculture further, leveraging Israel's expertise in precision farming, drip irrigation, desert agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Goyal shared details of the meeting on X, stating, 'Glad to meet with Mr. @AviDichter, Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Discussed ways to further strengthen our strong cooperation in agriculture, leveraging Israel's expertise in precision farming, drip irrigation, desert agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices.'

https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991821687831363743

During his visit, Goyal also toured the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation in Jaffa. Calling it an 'inspiring hub,' he said the centre highlighted Israel's journey in creativity, technology, and social impact, offering valuable insights into how innovation drives growth and development.

He said India and Israel will deepen their collaboration in technology and innovation, revealing that the two nations will now examine new areas of cooperation, including what 'could be a startup bridge between Israel and India after the signing of Terms of Reference (ToR).

Speaking to the media on Friday, Goyal said, 'We have just entered into the Terms of Reference yesterday. Now we will look at all the different elements and one of the elements could be a startup bridge between Israel and India.' On November 20, India and Israel formally signed the ToR to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Goyal noted, 'One of the elements is going to be technology and innovation in our comprehensive partnership with Israel.'

The Minister said India sees substantial room for collaboration to advance its own startup ecosystem. 'I believe we can collaborate with Israel to promote our own startup ecosystem, aspiring to take it to the levels of deep tech and high-quality innovation at competitive prices, given the economies of scale that India has to offer. We are looking at a deep partnership with Israel.'

'India aspires to become the startup capital of the world in the years ahead. There's a lot of excitement in Israel amongst the startups, amongst their innovators and businesses to work with India, a country which provides scale, a country which provides opportunities for the future,' he said.

He highlighted multiple sectors where collaboration could flourish, including cybersecurity, mobility, climate action, green steel, and med-tech.

'I do think that whether it is cyber-security, whether it's mobility, whether it's action against climate change, problems like producing steel with less carbon, or it is the med tech devices sector. I think India and Israel can work together, can partner together, and innovation will find purpose, innovation will find scale, innovation will become the new way of working and living. We have just entered into the TOR yesterday. Now we'll look at all the different elements,' he added.

Goyal is in Israel from November 20-22 on the invitation of Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat. (ANI)