By Aman Sayyad

Tallinn [Estonia], May 23 (ANI): India and Estonia are witnessing a 'strong trajectory of growth' in bilateral relations across trade, digital cooperation, cyber security and cultural engagement, India's Ambassador to Estonia Ashish Sinha said while highlighting the growing partnership between the two countries.

Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Sinha said political engagement between the two nations has gained momentum in recent months, citing the visit of the Estonian President to India earlier this year for the AI Summit and bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

'India-Estonia bilateral ties are progressing very well. There is a steady form and a positive uptick in the relationship in almost all areas of engagement,' the Ambassador said.

Highlighting the economic partnership, he said India's exports to Estonia have increased by nearly 150 per cent over the last year, reflecting growing trade opportunities between the two nations.

The Ambassador also underlined expanding cooperation in the areas of digital governance and cyber security, noting that the India-Estonia Cyber Security Dialogue, constituted last year, has already held its first meeting, and the next round of discussions is expected soon.

On people-to-people ties, he said nearly 2,000 Indians are currently residing in Estonia, mainly working in the IT and digital sectors, while several Indian students are pursuing doctoral and post-doctoral studies in the country.

The envoy further said cultural engagement remains vibrant, with Indian festivals being celebrated regularly in Estonia. He noted that an Indian cultural troupe performed in four Estonian cities earlier this year during India's Republic Day celebrations.

Speaking on innovation and startup collaboration, the Ambassador said India and Estonia are increasingly engaging through their respective technology ecosystems.

'India has strengths like Digital Public Infrastructure and India Stack, while Estonia has specialization in digital public services. The ecosystem players are engaging with each other,' he said.

Speaking on the potential impact of the India-EU FTA, the Ambassador told ANI, 'EU-FTA will unleash a huge potential in, in, in the trade and commerce relationship.'

Highlighting Estonia's export-oriented economy, the Ambassador noted that the Baltic country's small domestic population makes access to larger overseas markets essential for growth.

'Estonia will benefit from the Indian market; its dairy and agriculture products will find a big market because whatever Estonia produces, it has to depend on the outside Estonia market,' Sinha said.

'Estonia itself cannot consume, its small population, and even the European population is not enough, so they look at India. They have to, if they have to achieve a scale, they have to go to India.'

His remarks also emphasised India's growing interest in Europe as a stable and dependable export destination. 'Similarly, Indian exports are looking at European markets and as a dependable market, as a dependable player in terms of tariff, in terms of stability,' Sinha said.

His comments positioned Estonia as a potential entry point for Indian companies seeking access to Northern European and Scandinavian markets. 'So in that sense, Estonia can work as a gateway to Northern Europe and Scandinavia for all Indian companies to come and establish,' Sinha added.

Among the sectors expected to gain momentum under an eventual EU-India trade agreement are wood-based products, food commodities, and digital and software services.

'But among them, you know, the wood-based products, the commodity, food commodities and digital and software as services would take primacy,' the Ambassador said. (ANI)