India and Israel
♦ India and Israel inked 16 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on 26 February 2026, formally elevating bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership during the two-day state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel. The pacts, exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, covered a wide range of sectors including artificial intelligence, agriculture, cybersecurity, fintech, labour mobility, education, fisheries, and cultural exchanges. ♦ Among the key agreements was an MoU between NPCI International (NIPL) and Israel’s MASAV to enable cross-border remittances using India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). ♦ Another significant pact established the India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Israel’s MASHAV. ♦ Cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture was strengthened through an MoU promoting sustainable, technology-driven systems, including advanced aquaculture, disease management, mariculture, seaweed cultivation, R&D, trade, training, and centres of excellence. ♦ Other notable MoUs included cooperation in geophysical exploration using advanced geophysical and AI technologies for mineral resources; development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat; a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026-2029 covering music, theatre, dance, visual arts and festivals; AI in education for innovative pedagogy, teacher development and equitable access; and horizon scanning for strategic foresight and risk assessment.