India-Cyprus Relations Enter New Phase With Strategic Partnership Agreement

India and Cyprus on Friday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership , signalling a renewed push to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, shipping, maritime security and counter-terrorism following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

Addressing the media after the delegation-level talks, Modi said the two countries share a “strong and futuristic” friendship built on mutual trust, democratic values and long-standing people-to-people ties . He noted that investments from Cyprus into India have nearly doubled over the past decade and expressed confidence that bilateral economic engagement would expand further in the coming years.

“To realise this resolve, today we are elevating our trusted relationship to a strategic partnership,” Modi said, while highlighting new opportunities emerging from the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.

The two sides also agreed to establish a joint task force to boost cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure and shipping. Cyprus, strategically located in the eastern Mediterranean, has long served as an important gateway for Indian investments into Europe.

India and Cyprus have traditionally maintained close diplomatic ties , with both countries supporting each other on issues related to sovereignty, territorial integrity and reforms in global institutions . Cyprus has also backed India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

The leaders additionally exchanged views on the situation in West Asia and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reiterating support for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Christodoulides arrived in India on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed at expanding bilateral engagement across strategic and economic sectors.