During a state visit to Cyprus on 16 June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, including joint naval operations, a terrorism information-sharing mechanism, and support for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the defence partnership between Cyprus and India through expanded collaboration in their defence sectors. Following their discussions, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the need to intensify cooperation in maritime security and cybersecurity, but he didn’t provide details. Both parties agreed to create a framework for sharing information to combat terrorism effectively.
“It is widely known that the bilateral ties between our nations have stood the test of time. Today, we spoke about cooperation in the areas of defence, security, trade, technology, healthcare, renewable energy and climate justice. We also discussed how to strengthen cultural ties. Yoga and Ayurveda are gaining popularity in Cyprus, which is pleasing to see. Tourism is another area where there is great potential. We also discussed ways in which we can improve cohesion,” PM Modi wrote on X.
In a joint statement, they committed to bolstering maritime cooperation, which encompasses more frequent Indian naval visits to Cypriot ports and the exploration of joint training and search-and-rescue operations.
Prime Minister Modi underscored the strategic significance of Cyprus within the IMEC, stating that this initiative holds the potential to promote “peace and prosperity in the Middle East.” The corridor aims to enhance trade, energy, and digital connectivity, positioning Cyprus as a pivotal hub due to its geographical proximity to India and the Middle East.
“We are both confident in the transformative potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This Corridor will enhance peace and prosperity,” Indian PM posted.
President Christodoulides characterised Cyprus as India’s “gateway into Europe,“ facilitating opportunities for Indian firms seeking to expand into Western markets. He expressed his commitment to supporting key infrastructure initiatives such as IMEC. He highlighted the importance of deepening India-EU relations, particularly in advancing a free trade agreement, as a priority during Cyprus’s EU presidency in the first half of 2026.
“Today is a special day, a historic day because the presence in Cyprus of the leader of the largest democracy in the world is clear proof of the strong and historic bonds of friendship, trust, substantial cooperation and practical solidarity that unite us,” highlighted President Christodoulides.
Prime Minister Modi described the visit as the commencement of a “new era“ in India-Cyprus relations, grounded in shared historical ties and mutual values. Both nations, having previously experienced British colonisation, share a legacy of cooperation through the Non-Aligned Movement.
