These are turbulent times. Out of multiple conflicts, a new landscape is emerging. Some characteristics of the new global geometry are already being shaped. Now and in the foreseeable future, uncertainty will be the norm, unpredictability a standard, and sudden and wild fluctuations a recurring trend. We are now at a point where this entirely novel pattern in geopolitics is forming, directly impacting trade and the economy on a global scale.
Our region is in the eye of the storm, in close proximity to many major hotspots but the wars will not last forever. Eventually, the dust will settle and, the day after, what is now a threat will become an opportunity, especially for Cyprus. Its unique geographical location constitutes an unmatched privilege for the post-war era in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Gulf region and beyond, looking eastwards. In last year’s publication, I highlighted the fact that “Cyprus offers far more than location,” even if its “geopolitical relevance is coming into sharper focus.” Cyprus’ advantages include friendly relations with all major potential partners in the region, a longstanding business-friendly culture, a buoyant professional services sector and a robust banking system. These advantages will become all the more significant when the guns become silent. Winning peace is a different – and often more demanding – challenge. Then, the priority will be to rebuild and rekindle growth through economic and trade cooperation.
In the future economic nexus, the centre of gravity is bound to move eastwards. India and its relations with Europe, via an array of commercial, energy, information and other gateways that criss-cross the Eastern Mediterranean, will be a key component of the emerging geoeconomic landscape. Eurobank has already made facilitating India’s relations with the EU central to its business vision for 2030 and beyond. Eurobank Limited, Cyprus’ leading bank, is the lever and catalyst for implementing this strategy. And we are already building the foundations for the next day.
In May, Eurobank inaugurated its India office in Mumbai, becoming the first Greek and Cypriot bank with a physical presence in the country. President Christodoulides, visiting India at the time when Cyprus was holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, honoured the inaugural ceremony in Mumbai with his presence, sending a clear signal of the political will to support strengthening both bilateral and India-EU relations. We see our office as a hub to promote and facilitate business relations with Indian companies seeking access to the European market and looking for a trusted business partner to provide the relevant information and the necessary financial services backing. Launching a local office came hot on the heels of our flagship initiative to establish, in cooperation with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other institutional stakeholders, the India-Greece-Cyprus Business Council (IGC), which is already active in organising business fora in Athens, Limassol and Mumbai. Recently, Eurobank became the first bank in Europe to activate, in cooperation with NPCI International, the Indian UPI payments system in Europe. UPI is already serving the Indian community in Greece to make seamless money transfers back home and its activation in Cyprus will soon follow.
India is a global powerhouse in information technology. Eurobank is strengthening its technology footprint in India, operating a Global Delivery Centre in Pune, in collaboration with LTM (formerly LTIMindtree) and Fairfax Digital Services. The Centre supports Eurobank’s digital transformation strategy, developing cutting-edge technology to deliver next-generation banking solutions that power the Group’s international operations.
We are also active in innovation ecosystems, including the India Deep Tech Alliance. In this context, Eurobank Group was present at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, one of the most influential global forums on Artificial Intelligence, held in New Delhi. We aim to be at the forefront of Agentic AI deployment in banking, leveraging Indian technology. As our initiatives at Group level are integrated across geographies, this cooperation is set to deepen the India-Cyprus partnership in AI.
Banking is not easily associated with glamour but there are exceptions. Eurobank Limited was instrumental in actualising the first agreement for Bollywood to come to Cyprus! An Indian film will be shot, produced and post-produced in Cyprus and the announcement event in Mumbai brought together prominent figures from the banking, business, diplomatic and entertainment communities of India, Cyprus and Greece. We are not rolling out a red carpet only for Bollywood stars but for all dynamic Indian businesses and we are already seeing not only interest but concrete deals in Cyprus in key sectors, including agrifood, hospitality and education.
This is not a one-off initiative. Rather a once-in-so-many-years opportunity. Eurobank Group sees immense prospects for Cyprus as the business gateway in the wider region. We are laser-focused and putting our best people and efforts into making it happen.
*By Fokion Karavias, Chief Executive Officer, Eurobank S.A.
This opinion article first appeared in the 2026 edition of The Cyprus Journal of Wealth Management. Click here to view it.
