Cyprus President Begins India Visit to Deepen Trade, Defence and Tech Cooperation

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides , on Wednesday began a three-day visit to India aimed at deepening cooperation in trade , investment , defence and emerging technologies , as both countries seek to expand strategic engagement in the eastern Mediterranean and the wider Indo-European region.

Accompanied by senior ministers, officials and business leaders, Christodoulides started his visit from Mumbai and will travel to New Delhi on Thursday. He is scheduled to hold talks with Narendra Modi on Friday.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions will focus on areas including trade, defence and security, artificial intelligence, FinTech, innovation, education, mobility and research cooperation . The Cypriot President will also meet Droupadi Murmu and participate in a business forum.

India and Cyprus have traditionally maintained warm diplomatic ties , with Cyprus often backing India’s positions in international forums, including support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Cyprus also serves as an important gateway for Indian investments into Europe.

The visit comes months after Modi travelled to Cyprus last June, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the island nation in over two decades signalling renewed momentum in bilateral ties and India’s growing outreach to the European Union.

The engagement also carries a geopolitical dimension amid tensions between Cyprus and Turkey over territorial disputes in the eastern Mediterranean. India has increasingly expressed support for Cyprus’ sovereignty and territorial integrity , while both countries share concerns over cross-border security and regional stability .