Piyush Goyal to Visit Israel for Trade and Tech Talks

20 Nov 2025 CW Team

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will undertake an official visit to Israel from 20–22 November 2025 at the invitation of the Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat. The visit aims to advance India–Israel cooperation in trade, technology, innovation and investment. A 60-member business delegation supported by CII, FICCI, Assocham and Start-up India will accompany him.

Piyush Goyal is scheduled to meet senior Israeli leaders, including his counterpart, and discuss deeper collaboration in areas such as agriculture, water, defence, emerging technologies, life sciences, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Progress on the proposed India–Israel Free Trade Agreement is also expected to be reviewed.

He will participate in the India–Israel Business Forum featuring plenaries, technical sessions and B2B meetings, along with the fourth CEOs Forum involving industry leaders from both nations. The programme also includes interactions with major Israeli companies in sectors such as desalination, wastewater treatment, cyber security and smart mobility.

Visits to innovation hubs and engagements with the Indian community and business leaders of Indian origin will form part of the itinerary. The visit is expected to reinforce the long-standing India–Israel partnership and open new channels for strategic and economic collaboration.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Mar 2026

Implementation Status of Jal Jeevan Mission

Since August 2019 the Government has implemented Jal Jeevan Mission to provide assured potable water through household tap connections in rural India. At the start of the mission only 32.3 million (mn) rural households, representing 16.7 per cent, were reported to have tap water connections. States and union territories have reported that 125.8 mn additional rural households have since been provided with tap connections. As a result, of about 193.6 mn rural households roughly 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water supply at home.\n\nThe State, district and village level st..

Jal Jeevan Mission Reaches Eighty One Per Cent Rural Coverage

The Government reported substantial progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in August 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household. At launch only 32.3 million (mn) rural households had tap connections and states and Union territories reported provision of 125.8 mn additional households by March 2026. Consequently, out of about 193.6 mn rural households around 158.2 mn, or 81.71 per cent, are reported to have tap water at home. The Finance Minister announced extension of the mission until 2028 in the 2025-26 budget speech. The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, launched in October 20..

Empowering Local Governance for Sustainable Rural Water Supply

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has aligned the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) with the 73rd Amendment to strengthen village level planning and community ownership of water supply. Gram Panchayats, village water and sanitation committees and Pani Samitis are to plan, implement, manage and maintain piped water systems, with gram sabha processes formalising handover and oversight. Implementation support agencies including non government organisations, community based organisations and self help groups have been empanelled to train local committees and promote women participation. Under JJM, the department ..