President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking during his state visit to India in an interview with entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of retail stockbroker Zerodha and asset management firm True Beacon, emphasised that “now is the time for India to enhance its role and take on a stronger international presence.”
He addressed EU–India relations, as well as bilateral ties between Cyprus and India, regional developments, and the impact of artificial intelligence on democracy. While acknowledging the benefits of rapid technological progress, he also expressed concern about its long-term implications.
“What will happen if AI replaces 80 per cent of the workforce?” Christodoulides asked, underlining the need to balance innovation with social and economic stability.
He further noted that leadership requires decisions made with future generations in mind, rather than short-term political considerations. “When you are in a position of power, you must think and decide beyond the next elections,” he said.
Turning to India’s growing geopolitical influence, the president welcomed the EU’s progress on a free trade agreement with India, noting that it would connect “a market of two billion people.” Speaking in his capacity linked to Cyprus’ role in the EU Council presidency, he highlighted the strategic importance of strengthening this partnership.
On democratic resilience and global governance, Christodoulides stressed the need to uphold and modernise international institutional frameworks. “We need international structures such as the United Nations and the World Bank,” he said, adding that these institutions must evolve to reflect current global realities in order to remain relevant and effective.
He also underlined the continued importance of the UN Security Council, while calling for broader representation. “We must not overlook countries such as India and Brazil, which hold significant influence today,” he said, pointing to the need for reform of the international system.
