Mumbai, India. President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday praised the “remarkable energy” of Mumbai as he opened the Cyprus-India business forum on the second day of his state visit to India. He said the city reflects the ambition and outward-looking spirit of India’s growth.
Remarks at the forum
Christodoulides said Mumbai “encapsulates the genius of Indian growth” and called it “a mirror reflection of the strong ambition and outward-looking spirit that defines this incredible country”.
He said Mumbai’s energy is being incorporated into the “strategic partnership” between India and Cyprus, which he said was “brought almost a year ago during the historic visit” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid to Cyprus. He added that Modi’s visit “has taken a longstanding close relationship and transformed it into a strategic partnership”.
Focus on business communities
Christodoulides said that “at the heart of this strategic partnership are our respective, and very vibrant, business communities” and described them as those “which drive or economies forward”. He added that, as such, “it is particularly fitting that we begin this visit here”.
He said the forum has “a very strong determination on achieving business synergies, partnerships, and achieving tangible, mutually beneficial outcomes together”.
EU-India dimension
Christodoulides said the word “together” is key in the discussions and “encompasses not only the path of Cyprus-India business relations, but also the relations between the European Union and India”.
He said Cyprus is “currently proudly holding the presidency of the Council of the EU, representing all 27 EU member states,” and described the current period as “a juncture of great challenge, but above all, as is the view of Cyprus, a great opportunity”. He added that the current state of global affairs is “an opportunity to come together, build strong partnerships, and prospect”.
Platform for outcomes
He said the forum “serves as a platform for tangible outcomes,” adding that the presence of leading business organisations from both countries, alongside Cypriot and Indian companies, gives the forum a clear purpose: “to build connections, to create partnerships, to quickly move to action”.
He added that this drive is amplified by Cyprus holding the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency, and said Cyprus’ ongoing term “presents a unique opportunity to use the momentum in EU-India relations as a pedestal for stronger Cyprus-India economic and business cooperation”.
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