National
Cyprus: A Key Economic Partner for India, Says PM Modi
“President Nikos Christodoulides and I engaged with prominent CEOs to enhance commercial ties between India and Cyprus. There are significant opportunities in sectors like innovation, energy, and technology. I also highlighted the reforms India has undergone over the past decade,” the Prime Minister noted in a post on X.
Participants in the discussion represented a variety of sectors, including banking, finance, manufacturing, defense, logistics, maritime, shipping, technology, digital innovation, AI, IT services, tourism, and mobility, as stated in a government release.
The Prime Minister underscored India’s remarkable economic transformation over the past 11 years, asserting that India has become the fastest-growing major economy globally, driven by next-generation reforms, policy consistency, political stability, and improved ease of doing business.
By focusing on innovation, digital advancement, startups, and future-ready infrastructure, he expressed confidence that India, now the fifth-largest economy in the world, is on track to become the third-largest in the coming years. The steady growth in India’s civil aviation, ports, shipbuilding, digital payments, and green development sectors has created numerous opportunities for Cypriot companies to collaborate with India. He highlighted India’s skilled workforce and vibrant startup ecosystem, pointing to areas like manufacturing, AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and critical minerals as new frontiers for growth.
The Prime Minister reiterated Cyprus’s importance as an economic partner, particularly in foreign direct investment, and welcomed its enthusiasm for new investments in India. Discussions also included the potential for enhanced business engagement in financial services, with both leaders endorsing a memorandum of understanding between NSE International Exchange in GIFT City, Gujarat, and the Cyprus Stock Exchange.
Additionally, NIPL (NPCI International Payments Limited) and Eurobank Cyprus have reached an agreement to implement UPI for cross-border payments, benefiting tourists and businesses alike. The Prime Minister also supported the establishment of the India–Greece–Cyprus (IGC) Business and Investment Council, aimed at nurturing trilateral cooperation in areas such as shipping, logistics, renewable energy, civil aviation, and digital services.
As Cyprus is set to take on the Presidency of the EU Council next year, the two leaders reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership. They expressed optimism about finalizing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by year’s end, which is expected to significantly enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister concluded that the business roundtable generated actionable suggestions that will lay the groundwork for a structured economic roadmap, fostering long-term collaboration in trade, innovation, and shared strategic goals. At this juncture, India and Cyprus are ready to embark on a new era of dynamic, mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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