New Delhi: India and the Republic of Cyprus on Thursday (May 22) elevated bilateral ties to a “Strategic Partnership” during the State Visit of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to India, with both countries signing multiple agreements and announcing a wide-ranging roadmap for cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, cyber security, education, culture, technology, maritime coordination, and trade.
According to the outcomes released by the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit resulted in the signing of six MoUs and agreements, along with eight major announcements aimed at expanding cooperation across strategic and economic sectors.
MoUs / Agreements Signed
1. MoU on establishing a Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism
2. MoU in the field of Diplomatic Training between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service of India and the Diplomatic Academy of Cyprus
3. MoU between the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India on Innovation and Technology
4. Technical Arrangement for the establishment of Official Coordination and Cooperation on Search and Rescue (SAR) Matters between the Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Center of Cyprus and the Ministry of Defence of India
5. MoU between the Ministry of Education of India and the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, Government of Cyprus on Cooperation in the fields of Higher Education and Research
6. MoU on Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of India and the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus for the years 2026–2030
India and Cyprus signed a cultural cooperation agreement for the period 2026–2030 to promote cultural exchanges, heritage collaboration, artistic partnerships, and people-to-people ties.
Major Announcements
1. Elevation of bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership
2. Roadmap for Defence Cooperation between India and Cyprus for 2026–2031
3. Establishment of a Cyber Security Dialogue between India and Cyprus
4. Establishment of a Consular Dialogue between India and Cyprus
5. Cyprus joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative under the Pillar “Trade, Connectivity and Maritime Transport”
6. Gifting of Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISM) Cube to Republic of Cyprus
7. Celebration of the first ever India-Cyprus Space Day on 18 May 2026
8. Announcement of intention of Cypriot side to open a Cyprus Trade Center in Mumbai
