Announcements, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Statement by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion, Mr. Harry Theoharis

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, welcomes European Council President Antonio Costa, left and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Jan. 27,2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

The European Union – India trade agreement is a strategic milestone at a time of intense geoeconomic realignment. In a world of increased uncertainty and fragmentation, Europe is consciously choosing the path of cooperation, diversification and an open economy with reliable partners.

India, the fastest-growing major economy in the world, is a critical pillar of this strategy. The agreement creates one of the largest free trade areas in the world, reducing or eliminating tariffs on 90% of trade, enhancing predictability and substantially improving European businesses’ access to a market of more than 1.4 billion consumers.

For Greece, the agreement opens up new, tangible horizons. The agri-food sector, led by olive oil, quality foods and beverages, gains a competitive advantage in a rapidly expanding middle class. At the same time, opportunities are being created for Greek businesses in pharmaceuticals, shipping, the supply chain, energy and services.

It is also of particular importance for small and medium-sized enterprises, as the reduction of trade barriers, greater transparency and institutional stability make access to a demanding but extremely dynamic market more feasible.

The Greek Government firmly supports a European trade policy that strengthens competitiveness, protects high standards and turns geopolitical challenge into a development opportunity. The EU–India agreement is not only about trade; it is about the future of European and Greek extroversion.