New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides witness the exchange of MoUs during a joint press meet, in New Delhi on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Photo: IANS/PMO)
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at their meeting held here on Friday, agreed to elevate the relations between the two countries to a strategic level with deeper cooperation in defence and transport connectivity, according to senior government officials.
Noting that Prime Minister Modi visited Cyprus last year, the officials said that the "traditionally excellent relations" have now been elevated to a strategic level. "Over the past year, we have seen several important developments in our bilateral relations," an official said.
"Cyprus is interested in strengthening cooperation with the Indian defence industry and also wants the defence industries of the two countries to work together. President Nikos Christodoulides is reported to have highlighted that the European Union is investing more than 150 billion euros through the SAFE instrument to enhance defence and security across the EU and its member states. Cyprus is eligible for 1.2 billion euros, and is interested in enhancing its military capabilities and exploring the possibility of procuring from India," an official said.
The two sides agreed that the Defence Minister will visit soon to discuss defence cooperation and specific products of interest, the official said.
In order to enhance transport connectivity, the relevant Transport Minister will hold meetings with Air India and IndiGo regarding the possibility of starting direct flights. There is interest from both companies, and the direct connectivity is expected to be established by the end of the year.
Indian companies have already invested in Cyprus and have full access to the European market in a number of sectors, including defence, manufacturing, and technology. Cyprus serves as an important gateway to Europe.
In Mumbai, there is already strong business cooperation between the companies of the two countries across various sectors, and there is potential for further expansion. Cyprus has decided to open a trade office in Mumbai from September 1 this year. It will be sending additional high-level diplomats to its mission in New Delhi.
The shooting of the first Bollywood film in Cyprus has been announced. Filming of the romantic story will begin this June, and the film is expected to be released on 14 February next year.
In Mumbai, Eurobank has also opened its first representative office. It is important that this bank is working on integrating systems, including UPI, which will be operational in Cyprus next year. This will enable users in Cyprus to use the system, and in the future, it will also support non-Indian users, including those investing between the two countries.
The Cyprus presidency began with the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement in January. The country is now working with the European Commission and India to prepare the legal documents so that the agreement can be signed as soon as possible.
Several other agreements are also under negotiation with the European Union, including an Investment Protection Agreement and cooperation on climate and security projects. A Security of Information Agreement is already in place, along with a Security and Defence Partnership. Sectoral engagements planned for 2026 include a maritime security dialogue, a cyber dialogue, a counter-terrorism dialogue, and a Green Hydrogen Task Force.
Cyprus becomes India's 'secure ally' in region of geostrategic importance
Cyprus, which expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism during President Nikos Christodoulides' meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, continues to align closely with New Delhi, particularly on the security framework, because of Pakistan’s behavior.
Nicosia, experts reckon, has a lot of issues with Pakistan, considering its close relations with Turkey.
Last year, during PM Modi's historic two-day visit to Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over two decades, Christodoulides took the visiting leader on a guided tour along the ceasefire line in the historic city of Nicosia.
"Tour with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi along the ceasefire line, in old Nicosia. Where the signs of the Turkish occupation remain visible," the Government of the Republic of Cyprus posted on X along with the photographs of the two leaders visiting the area.
PM Modi's visit to Cyprus was significant as it came in the middle of India's tensions with Turkey over the latter's continuous support to Pakistan. Ankara's recognition of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the northern region that was seized by Turkish forces in 1974 and differences over gas exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean remain a constant source of tensions between Turkey and Cyprus.
The Joint Declaration adopted later demonstrated in practice the new page in bilateral relations between India and Cyprus, also more generally at the European and international level.
"Cyprus is a predictable and secure ally of India in a region of particular geostrategic importance, such as the Eastern Mediterranean, the wider Middle East. At the same time, it is a Member State of the European Union (EU) that constitutes India's gateway to Europe, and in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU that will begin on 1 January 2026, we will work to further strengthen India's strategic relations with the EU," said Christodoulides then.
'I also want to publicly thank you for your long-standing stance on the Cyprus issue and our efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunite our homeland. At the same time, I want to publicly express the support of the Republic of Cyprus in your efforts to confront both international and cross-border terrorism," he had added.
On Friday, when they met again, both Leaders categorically and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.
"The Leaders called for strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and the expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework. They urged for strong and concerted action against all UN- and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, including those under 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee, their associated proxy groups, facilitators, sponsors, financiers and backers," read the Joint Statement issued after their meeting at the Hyderabad House.
Nicosia admits that Pakistan has not been supportive of its territorial integrity in the way that it should have been under the UN Charter.
On the other hand, Cyprus believes that its close relationship with India is grounded in shared principles regarding the international system, multilateralism, etc.
The very fact that Pakistan is on the opposite side in relation to these issues does not help the situation.
Cyprus continues to work with India on a "very specific positive agenda" irrespective of what Turkey is doing.
This includes the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) which both leaders recognised has "transformational potential" in reshaping and promoting global trade, connectivity and prosperity.
"They reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasised the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from India through the wider Middle East to Europe. They discussed the establishment of a Bilateral Connectivity Dialogue," the Joint Statement mentioned.
"The Leaders reaffirmed their shared vision of Cyprus and India as strategic partners and vital connectors between Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Indo-Pacific, committed to advancing peace, stability, connectivity, and prosperity," it added.
