New Delhi: India and Cyprus on Thursday elevated their bilateral relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership during the State visit of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides to India.
The decision was announced after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Christodoulides in New Delhi. The visit comes during Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union and follows Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Cyprus in June 2025.
Both leaders welcomed progress under the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025-2029 and agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence, trade, innovation, cybersecurity, maritime security and emerging technologies.
India and Cyprus strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and specifically denounced the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and the Red Fort incident of November 2025. Cyprus expressed solidarity with India in combating cross-border terrorism.
The two countries signed several agreements covering counter-terrorism cooperation, innovation and technology, higher education, cultural exchanges, diplomatic training and maritime collaboration.
Both leaders also emphasized stronger defence cooperation, cybersecurity dialogue and collaboration between defence industries. They welcomed a roadmap for bilateral defence cooperation for 2026-2031.
On economic ties, both sides highlighted growing investment flows and cooperation in fintech, shipping, logistics, AI, startups and green energy. The leaders also welcomed progress on linking India’s UPI payment system with the European Central Bank’s TIPS platform for smoother cross-border transactions.
India and Cyprus reaffirmed support for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region and backed deeper India-EU cooperation following the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement earlier this year.
The leaders also discussed regional issues including Ukraine and West Asia, stressing dialogue and diplomacy for peaceful resolutions.
President Christodoulides thanked India for the warm hospitality extended during his visit and both nations agreed to further deepen cooperation under the upgraded Strategic Partnership framework.
