Latest news with #EU-IndiaFreeTradeAgreement
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India A Safe Investment In A World Where Trade and Tech Are Being Weaponised: EU Envoy
In a world where trade, technology, and migration are increasingly weaponised, the European Union has declared India a "safe investment." EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin hailed the partnership as historically strong, citing trust, shared democratic values, and rising strategic alignment. At a key event, Delphin emphasized the urgency to conclude the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by end-2025, calling it a turbocharger for future cooperation. From combating economic coercion to reshaping global diplomacy, both blocs now stand together in a volatile world. #india #europeanunion #freetradeagreement #eufta #indiaeutradedeal #euindia #safeinvestment #fta #indiaeurope #geopolitics #ursulavonderleyen #weaponisedworld #hervedelphin #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews Read More
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India, Cyprus unveil strategic roadmap; strongly condemn Pahalgam terror attack
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Cyprus concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining a roadmap for deepened strategic cooperation between the two nations, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Cyprus also released coordinated statements underscoring the breadth of this renewed partnership. As per the PMO release, Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Both leaders 'strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam,' reiterating their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The press release also highlighted the shared commitment of both sides to strengthening EU-India relations. With Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both sides pledged to work towards the timely conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025, calling it a move of 'significant economic and strategic potential.' According to the release, Prime Minister Modi's visit -- the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades -- was described as a 'historic milestone' that 'reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations.' The visit was seen as a celebration of a shared past and a 'forward-looking partnership' rooted in strategic vision and mutual trust. The declaration noted that both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, acknowledging growing cooperation in economic, technological, and people-to-people domains. Cyprus and India committed to furthering collaboration 'as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability.' The joint declaration reaffirmed both sides' shared values--democracy, multilateralism, rule of law, and sustainable development--and their support for a rules-based international order grounded in the UN Charter and international law. Both leaders emphasized the importance of UNCLOS in securing freedom of navigation and maritime sovereignty. Cyprus reiterated support for India's permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council. Both countries agreed to coordinate closely within the UN, Commonwealth, and other international organizations, including supporting each other's multilateral candidacies. The release also detailed the two sides' agreement to hold regular political dialogue, led by their respective foreign ministries, and to implement a bilateral Action Plan to guide cooperation across key sectors. On defence and security, both nations reaffirmed their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, condemned terrorism in all its forms, and emphasized dismantling terrorist infrastructure and financing. Cyprus expressed solidarity with India's fight against cross-border terrorism, and the two sides emphasized accountability for perpetrators. Recognizing the changing global security environment, the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, cyber defence, and maritime cooperation. They agreed to explore greater naval collaboration, port calls, and joint maritime training. The declaration further underlined the importance of institutional cooperation in emergency preparedness and crisis response, including evacuation and Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. On connectivity, Cyprus and India reiterated the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a multi-nodal initiative to promote economic integration and regional stability. Cyprus was described as a gateway into Europe and welcomed as a hub for Indian maritime and logistics enterprises. In the areas of trade, innovation, and technology, both leaders supported expanding bilateral trade and investment. They called for a Cyprus-India Business Forum and supported enhanced collaboration in innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. The release also mentioned plans to finalize a related MoU to promote research and tech partnerships. Acknowledging people-to-people ties as a strategic pillar, the declaration confirmed efforts to finalize a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025. Both sides also agreed to improve tourism and explore direct air connectivity. An agreement to prepare a comprehensive 2025-2029 Action Plan to steer bilateral relations was included in the joint declaration, under the supervision of the foreign ministries of both countries. (ANI)
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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Piyush Goyal meets Belgian Defence Minister, Minister-President of Flanders
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, held a productive meeting in Brussels on May 2 with Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and Minister-President of the Flanders region Matthias Diependaele to strengthen the Indo-Belgian partnership across trade, technology, investment, and innovation. According to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry release, this engagement follows HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium's March 2025 visit to India, during which her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the shared ambition to unlock new avenues for collaboration in trade, technology, defence, agriculture, life sciences, innovation, skilling, and academic exchanges. The over 300-member Belgian Economic Mission, led by Princess Astrid, infused fresh momentum into this dynamic bilateral relationship. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to building on this momentum to forge resilient, future-focused ties that enhance mutual growth and contribute to a more integrated global economic framework, per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The discussions highlighted growing economic synergies and focused on scaling bilateral trade, fostering industrial collaboration, and deepening investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharmaceuticals. The Flanders region, recognised as Belgium's economic engine, was highlighted as a critical partner with its advanced manufacturing ecosystem, R & D infrastructure, and its strategic role as a European gateway, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said. With India already the world's fastest-growing major economy and widely expected to remain so over the next two decades ahead--driven by a young, aspirational population and a dynamic reform-oriented environment--the growth story presents an unprecedented opportunity for India and Belgium. The two sides reaffirmed their shared vision of mutual prosperity and resilient economic cooperation amidst evolving global challenges. Minister Goyal reflected on India's transformative economic journey over the past decade, emphasising reforms that have empowered citizens and entrepreneurs alike. "The last eleven years have not only been about economic upliftment, but about enabling aspirations," he stated. The meeting also reviewed progress in EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with both parties recognising the need to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance market access. Minister Goyal reiterated India's position as a trusted and long-term economic partner for Europe's growth, remarking, "India is not just a market of the future--it is a collaborator of trust." Belgium remains one of India's most significant economic partners in Europe. It is India's fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade reaching USD 15.07 billion in 2023-24. Belgian FDI in India totalled USD 3.94 billion from April 2000 to September 2024, including a remarkable 39 per cent growth--USD 1.1 billion--in the past year alone. Bilateral cooperation spans a wide array of sectors, including defence manufacturing, green hydrogen, nano-electronics, nuclear medicine, and pharmaceutical R & D, reflecting the expanding depth and strategic nature of the Indo-Belgian economic relationship. Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level engagements and facilitate regular visits by business delegations to accelerate trade and investment outcomes.
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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India, Belgium discuss ways to boost bilateral trade, investments
The two sides also reviewed progress in EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with both parties recognising the need to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance market access Press Trust of India New Delhi India and Belgium have discussed ways to increase boost bilateral trade, foster industrial collaboration, and deepening investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharma, an official statement said on Sunday. The two sides also reviewed progress in EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with both parties recognising the need to address tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance market access. These deliberations were held during the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal with Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and Minister-President of the Flanders region Matthias Diependaele in Brussels on May 2. "The discussions highlighted growing economic synergies and focused on scaling bilateral trade, fostering industrial collaboration, and deepening investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharmaceuticals," the commerce ministry said. Belgium is India's fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $15.07 billion in 2023-24. Belgian FDI in India has totalled $3.94 billion during April 2000 to September 2024, including a 39 per cent growth ($1.1 billion) in the past year alone. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India, Belgium discuss boosting trade, strategic investments in key sectors
Piyush Goyal visit to Brussels India and Belgium have held detailed discussions on enhancing bilateral trade, fostering industrial collaboration, and scaling investments in strategic sectors including semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharmaceuticals, the Commerce Ministry said on Sunday as reported by news agency PTI. These deliberations took place during the visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Brussels on May 2, where he met with Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and Minister-President of the Flanders region Matthias Diependaele. "The discussions highlighted growing economic synergies and focused on scaling bilateral trade, fostering industrial collaboration, and deepening investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence production, and pharmaceuticals," the commerce ministry said. The two sides also reviewed the progress in EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and emphasized the need to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers to enhance market access. Belgium is India's fifth-largest trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $15.07 billion in 2023–24. Belgian foreign direct investment (FDI) in India totalled $3.94 billion between April 2000 and September 2024, with $1.1 billion—reflecting a 39% growth—coming in the past year alone. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
