India and Cyprus have upgraded their relations, moving into a phase focused on tangible results and the implementation of shared objectives, according to the joint declaration issued by the two countries.
The state visit by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, to India and his consultations with the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulted in agreement on 11 deliverables, including the joint declaration, five memoranda of understanding and one technical arrangement.
The areas covered include, among others, diplomacy, defence and security, transport and connectivity, search and rescue, education and culture.
Relations upgraded
In their joint declaration, the two leaders said that, following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Cyprus in June 2025, which laid the foundations for a strategic partnership, relations between the two countries were now entering a more results-oriented phase, focused on implementing what has been agreed.
“The leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership,” the declaration said, expressing satisfaction with the new momentum in bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Modi and Christodoulides reaffirmed the close and trusted partnership between India and Cyprus, based on shared democratic values, the rule of law and mutual respect.
The two sides also agreed to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027 through special events.
“The two leaders underlined their shared commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, effective multilateralism and sustainable development. They reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order, founded on the United Nations Charter and international law, with particular emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in relation to freedom of navigation and overflight, unhindered trade and sovereign rights at sea.”
India’s support on the Cyprus issue
On the Cyprus problem, Cyprus and India expressed their strong commitment to the resumption of negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in line with the agreed United Nations framework and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
They underlined the important role of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and their full support for its mandate. President Christodoulides expressed his appreciation for India’s valuable contribution to UNFICYP.
India, for its part, reiterated its unwavering and consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. The two sides stressed the need for full respect for the relevant UN resolutions and international law, so that efforts towards a negotiated peaceful solution are not undermined.
Cyprus backs India’s permanent role in a reformed UN Security Council
The two leaders also stressed the urgent need to reform the United Nations Security Council and to continue supporting efforts to complete intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform.
Cyprus reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two sides also agreed to work closely together and support each other’s candidacies at the United Nations and in other multilateral forums.
Condemnation of terrorism
President Christodoulides and Prime Minister Modi condemned terrorism categorically and unequivocally in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support for India in its fight against cross-border terrorism.
The two leaders condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that took place in India in 2025 and called for decisive and coordinated international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with international law.
In this context, the leaders called for stronger multilateral efforts to counter terrorism and for the swift conclusion and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.
The joint declaration also refers to the opportunities and cooperation being developed by the two countries in trade, the economy and shipping, following the Cyprus-India Business Forum in Mumbai, recognising Cyprus as a gateway to the EU.
It also states that the two leaders agreed to begin negotiations on a Social Security Agreement as soon as possible, while also recognising the potential for further development of two-way tourism.
EU-India relations
With Cyprus holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, President Christodoulides’ visit also had a European dimension. The two leaders welcomed the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement at the India-EU Summit on January 27, 2026.
The two sides also endorsed the India-EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030, aimed at further strengthening the strategic partnership through broader, deeper and better coordinated EU-India cooperation.
Welcoming the India-EU Free Trade Agreement as a historic milestone in the strategic partnership, the leaders called for its timely signing and implementation, so that the full potential of cooperation in trade and investment can be realised through the diversification of critical value chains and the opening of new markets.
Promoting IMEC
President Christodoulides and Prime Minister Modi also recognised the transformative potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in reshaping and advancing global trade, connectivity and prosperity.
According to the joint declaration, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the broader Middle East and underlined the importance of strengthening interconnection and connectivity corridors from India through the wider Middle East to Europe.
In conclusion, they expressed satisfaction with the deepening of India-Cyprus relations and agreed to work towards the timely implementation of the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025-2029.
They also reaffirmed their shared vision of Cyprus and India as strategic partners and vital links between Europe, the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific, committed to promoting peace, stability, connectivity and prosperity, as well as their commitment to achieving tangible results under the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025-2029 and to further strengthening India-Cyprus cooperation as a dynamic pillar of the broader India-EU strategic partnership.
Five memoranda and one technical arrangement
The two governments also signed a series of memoranda of understanding.
The first two were signed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries. The first provides for the establishment of a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism, while the second concerns diplomatic training through the diplomatic academies of the two countries.
The third memorandum of understanding concerns cooperation between Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on innovation and technology. It was signed on behalf of Cyprus by Deputy Minister Nikodemos Damianou.
Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna signed, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, a memorandum of cooperation with India’s corresponding Ministry of Education on cooperation in higher education and research.
She also signed, on behalf of Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou, a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation with India’s Ministry of Culture for the period 2026-2030.
Damianou also signed, on behalf of Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas, technical arrangements for the establishment of an official coordination and cooperation mechanism on search and rescue.
Beyond the memoranda, the two governments agreed on a 2026-2031 roadmap for defence cooperation between the two countries. They also announced the establishment of a cyber security dialogue and a consular dialogue between the two states.
It was further announced that Cyprus will join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, while it also expressed interest in joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
In addition, India will donate the Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri, known as BHISM, emergency medical equipment system to the Republic of Cyprus.
The two states also agreed to designate May 18, 2026 as the first India-Cyprus Space Day. In the same context, Cyprus expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with the International Solar Alliance, particularly for the creation of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre.
It was also agreed that Cyprus would join the Global Innovation Alliance initiative of the Government of Karnataka.
President Christodoulides had already announced from Mumbai the establishment of a Cyprus Trade Centre in the Indian city.
Source: CNA
