Jaishankar and Oana Toiu meeting in Cyprus feels like one of those diplomatic updates which looks boring at first,but actually has lot going on behind it . Especially because EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is now becoming main focus.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu on May 28 during informal Gymnich meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers held in Cyprus . Their discussion was mostly about preparing ground for upcoming EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA),which both sides clearly see as big economic opportunity .
And Romania is not looking at this in small way ah. Oana Toiu talked about possible cooperation in defense,renewable energy,steel production,automotive,fertilizers,and port infrastructure . That is not one or two sectors,this is almost full economic basket only.
Trade numbers also explain why both sides are sounding optimistic . Trade between India and Romania surged to $1.2 billion in 2025,with increase of over 20% compared to previous year . For two countries which are not always in daily headlines together,this is pretty serious growth.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to boost trade across multiple sectors .
- Joint Economic Cooperation Commission has been revived after being inactive for eight years.
- Energy security,connectivity and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) also came up in talks.
And tbh,the revival of Joint Economic Cooperation Commission after eight years says a lot . When such forum stays inactive for that long,it usually means relationship was moving slowly. Now Oana Toiu says it has reinvigorated economic relations and led to accelerated investments,so clearly both sides want momentum back.
There was also talk of high-level visit to Romania later this year,which could push bilateral ties more strongly . Both ministers also spoke about expanding Extended Partnership,and Romania again showed commitment to deepening strategic dimension of partnership with India.
But this was not just trade talk. Developments in Middle East were also discussed,especially energy security and connectivity through India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) . Freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz also came up,because any tension there directly affects energy routes and regional stability .
Earlier in day,Jaishankar also met foreign ministers from Poland and Netherlands,showing India is trying to stay very active inside EU framework rn . And with Ursula von der Leyen already calling expected FTA the "mother of all deals",and agreement expected to come into effect in 2026,question is how much of this optimism actually turns into real movement on ground…
