Israel and India have agreed to allow an additional 50,000 Indian citizens to work in Israel over the next five years, following talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The decision was announced as part of a list of 27 outcomes from Modi’s visit, which also included expanding Indian workers’ access to jobs in manufacturing and food service.

The two countries signed multiple memorandums of understanding covering agriculture, geophysical exploration, heritage, science, education, economy, cyber technology, security, and artificial intelligence. The agreements were signed by senior ministers and officials from both governments, reflecting broader cooperation beyond labor mobility.

The labor agreement comes as Israel continues to adjust its workforce after barring most Palestinian workers following the October 7 attacks. Previously, around 100,000 Palestinians were employed in Israel, but that number has fallen sharply due to heightened security restrictions.

To address labor shortages, particularly in construction, agriculture, caregiving, and services, Israel has expanded its intake of foreign workers. Government data from December showed nearly 61,000 new work permits were issued in 2025, bringing the total number of foreign workers in Israel to more than 227,000.