Cyprus strengthens trade ties with India ahead of EU deal

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides addressed the 22nd Economist Cyprus Summit and a subsequent Diwali celebration at the Presidential Palace on November 9, 2026, to discuss strengthening ties between Cyprus, Europe, and India. The President emphasized Cyprus's pivotal role in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a strategic initiative designed to enhance trade, transport, and economic security across the three regions.

A key milestone highlighted by the President is the upcoming Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India, which is scheduled to be signed in December 2026 in Brussels. The signing is expected to occur on the sidelines of the European Council with the participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Christodoulides described this agreement as a historic opportunity to open the vast Indian market to the European Union.

Looking forward, the Cypriot government aims to leverage its strategic geographical position and technical expertise to act as a bridge between India and Europe. By integrating Indian global reach with European market access, Cyprus seeks to transform regional geographic advantages into shared economic prosperity, deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations beyond mere diplomatic ties.