New Delhi, Aug 18: Israel expects two more rounds of negotiations with India on the proposed free trade agreement, with the two sides likely to have greater clarity on the pact by February 2027, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said.

In an interaction with media, Azar said the second round of negotiations was held last month, following an agreement on the terms of reference reached at the end of last year.

“We expect to have two more rounds, one in October and probably the last one by February and I think that by then we will know exactly where we stand,” he said.

Asked about the potential benefits of the FTA for both countries, Azar said discussions have so far focused on traditional market access issues, but the negotiations also cover areas such as reciprocal buybacks and cooperation.

He said bridging the gap in market access could be challenging because Israel has already lowered its tariffs and the two markets differ considerably in size.

However, the Israeli envoy identified high-tech cooperation as an area with significant potential for expanding bilateral economic ties.

“The greatest potential, I think, lies in high-tech cooperation,” he told media.

Azar further noted that greater innovation cooperation between the two countries could encourage Israeli companies to operate more freely in the Indian market.

The envoy’s comments come amid efforts by India and Israel to deepen their economic and technology partnership.

Earlier in May, Azar highlighted six core values underpinning the bilateral relationship — civilisational resilience, the fight against terrorism, democratic values, innovation & competitiveness, religious tolerance, and inclusive development.

India and Israel share a special and unique relationship and stressed the need to translate their common values into greater cooperation and investment, according to his video shared on X.

New Delhi : A day after announcing a major reshuffle of the national office-bearers, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday appointed new state in-charges for Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat, with the appointments coming into effect immediately.

According to a press note, the BJP national president Nitin Nabin appointed national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vinod Tawde as the new in-charge of Uttar Pradesh. National secretary Jagdish Ishwarbhai Patel has been appointed co-in-charge of the state, headed to polls early next year.

For Punjab, the party has appointed national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Satish Poonia as state in-charge while Tarun Chugh, Rajya Sabha MP and the BJP’s national headquarter in-charge, has been appointed in-charge of Gujarat.

The party said the appointments would come into force with immediate effect. It added that appointments for the in-charges of other states would be made in due course and that the existing arrangements would continue until fresh appointments are announced.

The latest appointments come a day after the party president unveiled a new national team, marking a significant organisational overhaul under his leadership. The BJP’s national reshuffle brought a mix of experienced leaders and newer faces into key positions, with the party emphasising a balance between continuity and organisational renewal.

The restructuring assumes significance as the BJP prepares for a series of state-level political challenges and the longer-term run-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The new organisational appointments are expected to strengthen coordination between the party’s central leadership and its state units.

The BJP’s new national team was announced on Monday. The reshuffle included several senior leaders retaining or receiving prominent organisational responsibilities, alongside the induction or return of other prominent figures.

Piyush Goyal was appointed national treasurer, a move that has drawn attention because of his role as Union Commerce and Industry Minister and his vast experience in the party organisation.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was appointed as national vice-president while former Union Minister Smriti Irani marked a comeback as the party’s General Secretary.

Alongside Irani, Roop Kumari Choudhary’s elevation as Mahila Morcha President further sought to strengthen BJP’s women‑centric outreach, particularly in states where the party is keen to expand its base.

The North-East found representation through Biplab Deb, the former Chief Minister of Tripura, who has been appointed General Secretary.

Bhopal, Aug 18: Eight labourers were killed and 23 others injured after a speeding pickup van carrying them collided head-on with an incoming truck in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind district, police said on Tuesday.

The accident took place at around mid-night near Chhimka village under Gohad area on National Highway-719. The labourers were returning to their villages in Uttar Pradesh after completing paddy transplantation work in Gwalior region.

According to police, 29 labourers were travelling in the pickup when the accident occurred. The injured were rescued with the help of local residents and shifted to nearby hospitals. Gohad Chauraha police station in-charge Ramnaresh Yadav said the pickup was travelling at an estimated speed of 80-90 kmph.

“Some cows were sitting on the highway and the driver tried to avoid them after they suddenly came in front of the vehicle. The pickup swerved and collided head-on with the oncoming truck,” Yadav said.

The collision was so severe that the pickup was badly mangled, trapping several labourers inside. Police personnel and local residents helped extricate the injured from the vehicle.

Five bodies have been kept at Gohad and three at Gwalior, while the process of identifying the deceased was underway, police said. The labourers had come to the Gwalior region from different villages for paddy transplantation work.

After completing the work, they were returning to their villages in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. Yadav said the presence of cattle on the highway was emerging as a key factor in the accident, particularly as the pickup was travelling at high speed during the night.

“The damaged vehicles were removed from the highway, and traffic movement was restored after some disruption,” Yadav added.

Police have registered a case and started an investigation into the accident. Further details, including the identities of the deceased, are awaited.