Cyprus and India reaffirmed long-standing ties and the strengthening of cooperation on defence and security issues on board the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand, docked in Limassol, on Monday evening.
Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Alexis Vafeades welcomed the crew to Limassol port, noting the warship's visit was the "continuation of the momentum that began last June" with the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Cyprus. The INS Trikand can count on the hospitality of Cypriot ports on its future trips, he added.
Vafeades spoke of “great progress” already being made as government members visit India and work to strengthen and improve relations between the two countries. With India's population reaching 1.46 billion, compared to Cyprus' roughly one million, the minister was at pains to point out that the relationship between the two countries was not one-sided.
“Despite the differences in size and population, I believe that Cyprus can be a reliable partner for India in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
Indian High Commissioner to Cyprus Shri Manish said the visit of the frigate is a milestone in already deep-rooted relations between the two countries. The governments of Cyprus and India have finalised a joint action plan for 2025-2029, which provides a framework for cooperation and defence, including joint naval training in the defence sector and the hosting of Indian naval ships, he added.
National Guard Chief Lieutenant General George Tsitsikostas also hailed the frigate's visit, describing it as “a strong symbol of friendship and commitment of both states to strengthen the presence and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean”.
He announced that he will soon host his Indian counterpart in Cyprus, “a visit that will mark another milestone in our relations, further strengthening the institutional dialogue and strategic cooperation between our armed forces.”
The frigate's captain, Sachin Kulkarni, noted that Cyprus "is not just an island in the Mediterranean, it is a meeting point of civilizations, a bridge between East and West".
India and Cyprus may be many kilometers apart geographically, "but our peoples are connected by deep cultural affinities, love for tradition, respect for heritage and an unwavering spirit of resilience, and these qualities have led us both through centuries of challenges and triumphs."
INS Trikand, a state-of-the-art Talwar-class guided missile frigate, made a port call at Limassol on September 21 and will be departing on Wednesday. The 125-metre frigate, commissioned in 2013, has a crew of 180 personnel and is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (range: 300 km, speed: Mach 3), stealth technologies, and a Kamov Ka-31 helicopter. It specialises in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
The Trilkand has served on humanitarian missions in the Indian Ocean, and participated in multinational exercises with Oman and Egypt.
Source: CNA
