Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia, reaffirming the enduring friendship and shared democratic values between the two nations. The leaders emphasized mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Modi thanking Cyprus for its strong condemnation of the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and its solidarity with India’s counterterrorism efforts. Modi reiterated India’s support for Cyprus’s unity and a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus Question based on UN Security Council resolutions, international law, and the EU Acquis.
The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment, science, culture, and people-to-people ties, while exploring new areas such as fintech, startups, defense industry, connectivity, digitalization, AI, and mobility. They agreed to establish a five-year roadmap to strengthen collaboration in strategic sectors and announced the launch of cyber and maritime security dialogues, along with a mechanism for real-time information exchange on terrorism, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling.
Both leaders welcomed the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme signed in January 2025, which will formalize defense ties. They also endorsed the creation of the India-Greece-Cyprus Business and Investment Council to boost economic engagement and discussed enhancing air connectivity to support business, tourism, and innovation linkages. Modi highlighted the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor as a key initiative for regional peace and prosperity.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and reform of global governance institutions, including the UN Security Council. Modi thanked Christodoulides for Cyprus’s continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC. They also exchanged views on global conflicts in West Asia and Europe. An MoU was signed to establish an India Studies ICCR Chair at the University of Nicosia, and a Joint Declaration on the India-Cyprus Partnership was issued. Modi extended an invitation to Christodoulides to visit India. The visit underscored the growing strategic alignment between India and Cyprus in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
