Cyprus President Christodoulides set for official India visit in May

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides will undertake an official visit to India in the last week of May , signalling a further deepening of political, economic and strategic ties between the two countries amid increasing high-level engagement. The visit, announced by Cyprus High Commissioner to India Evagoras Vryonides, follows a series of bilateral exchanges that underline the growing importance both sides attach to the relationship.

Vryonides said Cyprus’ Foreign Minister will visit India next month , ahead of the president’s trip, reflecting what he described as a strong level of political commitment and association between the two nations. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus last June, during which both sides signed a joint action plan outlining cooperation for the next five years in areas such as tourism, trade, education, destination weddings, the film industry and defence cooperation .

India views Cyprus as a valuable partner within the European Union, offering an additional diplomatic and economic channel into Europe. Cyprus, for its part, sees India as a rising global power and a long-term economic partner capable of supporting diversification beyond Europe. Historically, Cyprus has acted as a gateway for Indian businesses entering European markets, particularly in services, shipping and finance, while India offers scale, investment and market depth.

Both countries are also stakeholders in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor , which Cyprus has described as a promising geo-strategic initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and Europe, with the island positioning itself as an eastern Mediterranean maritime gateway , anchored around ports such as Limassol , for onward trade and logistics into European markets. Cyprus’ strategic location in the eastern Mediterranean gives it potential relevance as a logistics and trans-shipment hub within the corridor, aligning with India’s interest in diversified and resilient trade routes. However, the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and wider instability in the Middle East have slowed momentum around the project, raising security risks and increasing costs, even as partners continue to see long-term value in the initiative.

Cyprus assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first six months of 2026, with a focus on autonomy in defence, business and social issues. Vryonides said Cyprus would work actively to promote these priorities while also seeking to strengthen EU engagement with India during its presidency.

The high commissioner said Cyprus is closely monitoring developments in the Mediterranean and in regions including Gaza, Ukraine, Venezuela and Greenland, noting that shifting geopolitical realities are reshaping global affairs. Cyprus remains a divided island since 1974 , but is internationally recognised as a single state under the Republic of Cyprus, which represents the country in the European Union. India recognises only the Republic of Cyprus and has consistently supported its sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with United Nations resolutions.