India and Cyprus agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with visiting Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in New Delhi .
The two sides signed six agreements and unveiled several major initiatives spanning defence, cyber security, counter-terrorism, maritime cooperation, technology, and culture .
Defence cooperation roadmap for 2026-2031
A key outcome of the visit was the adoption of a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation covering 2026-2031 . The roadmap will focus on capacity building, technical cooperation, and partnerships between Indian and Cypriot defence industries .
Officials indicated that Cyprus is keen to procure military equipment from India, including drones and missiles, which were “tested” last year during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan .
The defence partnership gains added significance in the context of India’s Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union, signed earlier this year. Cyprus has been allocated $1.5 billion under the EU’s €150 billion SAFE programme, opening opportunities for Indian defence companies to collaborate with European firms .
Six agreements signed
The two countries exchanged Memorandums of Understanding on :
- Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism – providing a framework for information sharing and capacity building
- Diplomatic Training – between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Cyprus’ Diplomatic Academy
- Innovation and Technology – between Cyprus’ Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT
- Higher Education and Research – for academic collaboration
- Cultural Cooperation – for 2026-2030
- Search and Rescue – technical arrangement between Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Center and India’s Ministry of Defence
New dialogues and initiatives
Beyond the signed agreements, both sides announced the establishment of dedicated Cyber Security Dialogue and Consular Dialogue .
Prime Minister Modi stated that the two countries also intend to conclude a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership and a Social Security Agreement in the near future .
President Christodoulides announced that Cyprus will join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative under the pillar of “Trade, Connectivity and Maritime Transport” .
IMEC and EU-India cooperation
President Christodoulides strongly backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling it a “visionary initiative” reflecting the importance of trusted connectivity between the Indo-Pacific and Europe . Cyprus has initiated a “Friends of IMEC” group involving signatory and interested EU member states .
Counter-terrorism commitment
In a joint statement, both leaders called for strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and the expeditious finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework . They reiterated zero tolerance for terrorism, rejecting double standards and state-sponsored terrorism .
Investment and trade
Modi noted that Cyprus is among the top ten investors in India, with investments having nearly doubled over the last decade. He set a target to double these investments within the next five years .
President Christodoulides, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency, expressed support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council .
