Jaishankar, Romania FM discuss EU-India FTA at Gymnich in Cyprus
Synopsis
EAM Jaishankar and Romanian FM Oana Toiu used the sidelines of the EU Gymnich in Cyprus to accelerate groundwork for the EU-India FTA — a deal EU Commission President von der Leyen called the 'mother of all deals.' With Romania-India trade already up 20% to $1.2 billion in 2025 and a revived Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, Bucharest is positioning itself as a key EU gateway for Indian investment ahead of the pact's 2026 rollout.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar met Romanian FM Oana Toiu on 29 May 2025 at the informal Gymnich meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus .
Discussions centred on preparing for the EU-India Free Trade Agreement , with focus sectors including defence, renewable energy, steel, automotive, fertilisers, and port infrastructure.
Romania-India bilateral trade reached $1.2 billion in 2025 , up more than 20 per cent year-on-year.
The Joint Economic Cooperation Commission was revived after an eight-year pause , with investment already accelerating.
Both sides also discussed IMEC , Middle East energy security, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz .
A high-level visit to Romania is expected later in 2025 ; the EU-India FTA is slated to take effect in 2026 .
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 29 May 2025 met Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu on the sidelines of the informal Gymnich meeting of European Union Foreign Affairs Ministers in Nicosia, Cyprus. The bilateral exchange focused on laying the groundwork for the landmark EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deepening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
FTA Preparations and Key Sectors
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said both sides are actively preparing to ensure their economies capitalise on the forthcoming EU-India FTA. 'We're now preparing the ground so that both our economies make the most of the future EU-India Free Trade Agreement, with strong potential across defence industry, renewable energy, steel, automotive, fertilisers and port infrastructure,' she wrote on X after the meeting.
This was the fourth meeting between the two ministers, underscoring the growing regularity of high-level engagement. Toiu described it as an 'excellent discussion' with her Indian counterpart on the margins of the Gymnich.
Romania-India Trade Momentum
Bilateral trade between Romania and India reached $1.2 billion in 2025, registering a growth of more than 20 per cent compared to 2024, according to Toiu. She attributed the revival to the unblocking of the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission following an eight-year pause, noting that investment flows are already accelerating. 'After unblocking our Joint Economic Cooperation Commission following an eight-year pause, we've brought back real momentum to the relationship,' she stated.
Strategic and Regional Agenda
Beyond trade, the ministers discussed a range of geopolitical and connectivity issues, including developments in the Middle East, energy security, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz also featured in their conversation. Toiu reaffirmed that 'Romania and India are committed to deepening the strategic dimension of our Extended Partnership.'
High-Level Visit Expected Later This Year
Both ministers indicated they are looking forward to a high-level visit to Romania expected later in 2025, which could further cement bilateral ties ahead of the FTA's anticipated implementation.
Background: The EU-India FTA
Romania is a member of the European Union. In January 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-EU FTA, describing the pact as the 'mother of all deals.' The agreement is expected to come into effect sometime in 2026, and is widely seen as a qualitative shift in overall EU-India bilateral ties across multiple sectors. On the same day, Jaishankar also held brief meetings with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen in Cyprus.
Point of View
Historically weighted toward services and mobility, align with Romania's push in goods-heavy sectors like steel and automotive. The IMEC conversation adds a connectivity layer that could give this bilateral a strategic depth beyond pure commerce — but only if the corridor itself moves past the planning stage.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Jaishankar and Romanian FM Oana Toiu discuss at the Gymnich meeting?
They discussed preparations for the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, with key sectors identified as defence industry, renewable energy, steel, automotive, fertilisers, and port infrastructure. They also covered the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Middle East energy security, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
What is the current state of Romania-India trade?
Bilateral trade between Romania and India reached $1.2 billion in 2025, registering growth of more than 20 per cent compared to 2024. The two sides also revived their Joint Economic Cooperation Commission after an eight-year pause, with investment flows already picking up.
When is the EU-India Free Trade Agreement expected to come into effect?
The EU-India FTA is expected to come into effect sometime in 2026. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the successful conclusion of negotiations in January 2025, calling it the 'mother of all deals.'
Why is the EU-India FTA significant for Romania?
Romania, as an EU member state, stands to benefit from the FTA's provisions across sectors where it has strong industrial capacity — including defence, steel, automotive, and renewable energy. Bucharest has positioned itself as an active partner in preparing both economies to maximise the agreement's potential.
What other meetings did EAM Jaishankar hold in Cyprus?
On the same day, Jaishankar also briefly met Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on the sidelines of the Gymnich meeting in Cyprus.
