Diplomacy

The protocol was signed by Dr. Senthil Pandian C., Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the WTO, on behalf of India. Ethiopia was represented by Tsegab Kebebew Daka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva. After the signing ceremony, the protocol and its annexes were formally handed over and deposited with the WTO Secretariat.

The agreement was signed recently in Oslo and is aimed at bringing advanced international expertise into India’s highway planning, tunnel construction, slope stability analysis, slope monitoring and institutional capacity building. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the collaboration will help NHAI strengthen technical capabilities for developing National Highways to global standards, especially in geologically sensitive and challenging terrains.

One of the most important outcomes was the signing of an MoU to establish a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism. This reflects the growing convergence between India and Cyprus on security challenges, particularly at a time when both nations recognise the need for stronger international cooperation against terrorism, radical networks, organised crime and security threats that cross national borders. The mechanism is expected to give both sides a structured platform for dialogue, coordination and exchange of expertise.

A key message from the dialogue was accountability. India and Egypt strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April 2025, as well as the terror incident near Red Fort in New Delhi in November 2025. Both countries stressed that those involved in terrorist acts, including their supporters, financiers and backers, must be identified, prosecuted and brought to justice.

The joint declaration reflects a broad expansion of India-Italy cooperation across politics, trade, defence, technology, connectivity, migration, culture, education and multilateral affairs. Both leaders agreed to hold annual leader-level meetings, including on the sidelines of major international events, along with regular ministerial and institutional-level consultations. A Foreign Ministers-led mechanism will also be established to review the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029 and provide strategic direction to the newly elevated partnership.