New Delhi: India and Israel on Monday, September 8, signed a bilateral investment agreement aimed at promoting and protecting investments between the two countries. The pact was inked by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Israeli counterpart Bezalel Smotrich.

The agreement ensures safeguards against expropriation, transparency in policies, smooth transfer of funds, and compensation for losses, while also balancing investor rights with sovereign regulatory powers. It provides for independent dispute resolution through arbitration.

Bilateral investments between India and Israel currently stand at around USD 800 million. The deal is expected to strengthen cooperation in fintech, infrastructure, regulation, and digital payments.

India is also negotiating similar treaties with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Russia, Australia, and the EU, to further boost its investment climate.