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Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
India expects EU trade deal by year end as Cyprus pledges support
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Cyprus, which assumes the EU presidency in 2026. (AP pic) NICOSIA : India expects to finalise a free trade agreement with the EU by the end of this year, prime minister Narendra Modi said today, while Cyprus, which assumes the EU presidency in 2026, said better ties would be its priority. Modi, on an official visit to the east Mediterranean island, said there were unlimited possibilities in expanding economic ties with Cyprus in a visit aimed at pushing forward India's global trade agenda. 'We are working on finalising a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement by the end of this year,' Modi said in joint remarks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. India is pursuing a trade link by sea and rail known as the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, but the visit is being held in the shadow of an escalating crisis in the Middle East. 'We agree the India – Middle East Europe Corridor will pave the way for peace and prosperity in the region,' Modi said. Cyprus, which has close relations with India through its shared membership of the Commonwealth, is offering facilities to be a first point of entry to Europe and a transhipment hub, Christodoulides said. 'A strengthening of EU-India relations will be among the priorities of the Cypriot EU presidency,' Christodoulides said. Cyprus assumes the rotating six-month presidency of the bloc in early 2026.
Reuters
16-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
India expects EU trade deal by year end as Cyprus pledges support
NICOSIA, June 16 (Reuters) - India expects to finalise a free trade agreement with the European Union by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday, while Cyprus, which assumes the EU presidency in 2026, said better ties would be its priority. Modi, on an official visit to the east Mediterranean island, said there were unlimited possibilities in expanding economic ties with Cyprus in a visit aimed at pushing forward India's global trade agenda. "We are working on finalising a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement by the end of this year," Modi said in joint remarks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. India is pursuing a trade link by sea and rail known as the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, but the visit is being held in the shadow of an escalating crisis in the Middle East. "We agree the India - Middle East Europe Corridor will pave the way for peace and prosperity in the region," Modi said. Cyprus, which has close relations with India through its shared membership of the Commonwealth, is offering facilities to be a first point of entry to Europe and a transhipment hub, Christodoulides said. "A strengthening of EU-India relations will be among the priorities of the Cypriot EU presidency," Christodoulides said. Cyprus assumes the rotating six-month presidency of the bloc in early 2026.
Times of Oman
12-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
"Looking to deepening ties, centrepiece is FTA": EAM Jaishankar on India-EU relations
Brussels: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday spoke at the German Marshall Fund Brussels Forum 2025, where he highlighted the importance of India's relationship with the European Union. Jaishankar stated that India gives "pretty high priority" to its relations with the EU, highlighting the growing interest in Europe over the past decade. Jaishankar expressed optimism about the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying that discussions have been positive and that the agreement is "within sight" of being finalised by the end of the year. Jaishankar said, "We are really looking to deepening our ties, the centrepiece is the FTA." He said his meetings have been very positive and noted that discussions took place on mobility and talent flows, education. On the timeline for the fruition of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU, EAM Jaishankar noted that since the visit of the College of Commissioners in February, "A lot has been done and everything that I heard on this trip gives me the confidence that it's within sight that by the end of this year it is feasible to do this". Jaishankar also addressed the trade tensions between the EU and the US, stating that India values its relations with both partners and will deal with each on terms that are mutually beneficial. He acknowledged that Europe has distinct positions on many issues, which may not always align with those of the US. Jaishankar said, "We see today that Europe has a distinct position on many issues, those are not necessarily the positions shared today in the United States, so that's a reality. We value our relations with the US as we do with the EU we will deal with each one on terms which are best for both of us." On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar reiterated India's position that differences between countries cannot be settled by war and that negotiations are the best way forward. He noted that while this position may not have been widely accepted initially, the world is now coming to terms with it. "We have felt from the start, even if two countries have differences, it cannot be settled by the cause of war. Two, if the war has started, you cannot get solutions on the battlefield... the answer then is to negotiate. It makes sense to negotiate directly than through convoluted signalling. So that's been our position." He noted that although this position wasn't widely accepted in 2022, the world is coming to terms with it now." Jaishankar is in Brussels where he has held several interactions with senior officials of the European Union. Discussions have seen positive developments on several fronts of the India-EU partnership.
Times of Oman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
India-EU ties set to reach new heights: Jaishankar at Europe Day celebration
New Delhi: Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said that the India-EU ties continues to expand and prosper. Jaishankar, at the Europe Day celebrations in Delh, on Friday, said that India and the EU are natural partners in each other's progress. In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to participate in Europe Day celebrations in New Delhi this evening. The India-EU longstanding partnership continues to expand and prosper. As democratic polities, pluralistic societies and market economies, we are natural partners in each other's progress." Jaishankar attended the Europe Day celebration, marking 75 years of the Schuman Declaration. Europe Day marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, symbolising unity and cooperation among European nations. He highlighted the growing partnership between India and European nations, citing a landmark visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners in February 2025. This visit strengthened ties between India and the EU, paving the way for deeper cooperation. "India's longstanding relationship with European nations is today poised to ascend a higher level. The visit of the EU College of Commissioners led by President Ursula von der Leyen herself in February 2025 was truly a milestone in our ties," Jaishankar said. He emphasised that the high-level visit connected key policymakers "comprehensively," allowing both sides to advance their partnership. "Our cooperation is acquiring many more dimensions. We are engaged, as you heard from the Ambassador, in complex trade negotiations, but one that we hope, and we're confident, will produce an outcome this year itself," he stated. India and the EU are engaged in complex trade negotiations, with expectations of a positive outcome this year. Their interactions span multiple domains, directly impacting their societies. The partnership is expanding into areas like technology, energy, space, and defense, with visible progress. Jaishankar noted that India and the EU share commonalities as democratic polities, pluralistic societies, and market economies, serving as powerful binding forces.
Times of Oman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
India, EU natural partners in each other's progress: EAM Jaishankar
New Delhi: Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has said that the India-EU ties continues to expand and prosper. Jaishankar, at the Europe Day celebrations in Delh, on Friday, said that India and the EU are natural partners in each other's progress. In a post on X, he said, "Pleased to participate in Europe Day celebrations in New Delhi this evening. The India-EU longstanding partnership continues to expand and prosper. As democratic polities, pluralistic societies and market economies, we are natural partners in each other's progress." Jaishankar attended the Europe Day celebration, marking 75 years of the Schuman Declaration. Europe Day marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, symbolising unity and cooperation among European nations. He highlighted the growing partnership between India and European nations, citing a landmark visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners in February 2025. This visit strengthened ties between India and the EU, paving the way for deeper cooperation. "India's longstanding relationship with European nations is today poised to ascend a higher level. The visit of the EU College of Commissioners led by President Ursula von der Leyen herself in February 2025 was truly a milestone in our ties," Jaishankar said. He emphasised that the high-level visit connected key policymakers "comprehensively," allowing both sides to advance their partnership. "Our cooperation is acquiring many more dimensions. We are engaged, as you heard from the Ambassador, in complex trade negotiations, but one that we hope, and we're confident, will produce an outcome this year itself," he stated. India and the EU are engaged in complex trade negotiations, with expectations of a positive outcome this year. Their interactions span multiple domains, directly impacting their societies. The partnership is expanding into areas like technology, energy, space, and defense, with visible progress. Jaishankar noted that India and the EU share commonalities as democratic polities, pluralistic societies, and market economies, serving as powerful binding forces.
