India and Israel launch first round of Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement

• India–Israel FTA is a proposed bilateral preferential trade pact whose first formal round of negotiations opened in New Delhi on 23 February 2026.
• Marks a strategic pivot in India's "Look West" / I2U2 trade architecture, building on 34 years of diplomatic relations (since 1992).
• Relevant for GS-II (IR) and GS-III (Economy/Trade) — covers FTA mechanics, complementarities, MSME interface, and West Asia geopolitics.