India and Cyprus have forged a strategic partnership, focusing on the strengthening of trade and defence ties, formalized through a five-year action plan (2025–2029), the High Commissioner of India, Manish Manish, said at the India–Cyprus Media Dialogue that took place in Nicosia on Friday.
The dialogue also highlighted cooperation in technology, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges, reflecting a comprehensive agenda for long-term bilateral engagement.
The Indian High Commissioner said that the bonds between India and Cyprus were "deep, historic, and rooted in shared values." "We have consistently supported Cyprus’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, advocating for a resolution of the Cyprus question through a bizonal, bicommunal federation as per UN Security Council resolutions" he underlined.
High-level meetings
He noted that Cyprus, in turn, has been a "steadfast supporter of India’s permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council and has stood with India on various multilateral forums." "Our relationship has always been grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and cooperation" he added.
Moreover, he said the strategic phase in the partnership comes after a series of high-level visits in 2025, including that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Cyprus last June, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades, when a Joint Declaration was signed outlining a Five-Year Joint Action Plan (2025–2029).
Manish referred further to reciprocal visits by senior Cypriot officials, including Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos in October, President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou in November, and Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, describing them as “transformative, elevating our ties from traditional diplomacy to dynamic strategic collaboration.”
Enhanced cooperation
He noted that economic collaboration has emerged as a central pillar of the India–Cyprus partnership. As he said, Cyprus ranks among the top ten countries through which India receives foreign direct investment (FDI), contributing approximately USD 15 billion between 2020 and 2025.
“Cypriot investors are increasingly leveraging India’s growth story and institutional frameworks,” said Manish, highlighting key fund houses such as Advent International, Resolute Global Partners, and Bao Capital Partners deploying capital in Indian markets. To further strengthen the economic corridor, the High Commission is organizing a Business and Investment Summit on March 3, 2026, themed “Transforming Tomorrow” he noted.
Defence cooperation is another key dimension of the partnership, he went on to say. According to the Indian High Commissioner, the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme (BDCP) 2026, signed in February, “marks a significant step in deepening our strategic collaboration”.
He added that the framework includes enhanced maritime cooperation, joint exercises, and knowledge-sharing in technology and security, with the agreements aiming to create a “robust foundation for regional stability,” reflecting India’s commitment to a rules-based international order and Cyprus’s strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Regional stability
Manish also emphasized the importance of cultural and educational exchanges, calling them “the heartbeat of our partnership.” He highlighted initiatives in student mobility, joint research projects, and professional exchanges as central to fostering long-term understanding between the peoples of both countries. “Our dialogue is not just about governments or agreements,” he noted, “it is about people connecting, learning, and sharing ideas across borders.”
The Media Dialogue itself promoted this dimension, with journalists and media organizations from both countries discussing ways to expand coverage, enhance mutual understanding, and bring each nation’s story to wider audiences. “Perceptions shape policy, and narratives influence decisions,” Manish said, adding that “media play a role that no diplomat or treaty can fully substitute.”
Technology and innovation are also central to the roadmap, with Manish citing recent Cypriot participation in India’s AI Impact Summit and the ICC Global Business Summit in Mumbai as “prime examples of practical collaboration in cutting-edge sectors.” Areas of focus include artificial intelligence, fintech, space technology, and digital services, “moving our partnership beyond symbolic gestures toward actionable, mutually beneficial outcomes” as he put it.
Looking ahead, Manish expressed confidence that the partnership would contribute not only to bilateral prosperity but also to “regional stability and global peace.” “This is a relationship built on trust, shared values, and a vision for the future,” he noted.
Strengthening ties
“With a clear roadmap and sustained engagement, India and Cyprus are poised to write a new chapter in strategic cooperation. Let us build bridges, between governments, economies, and the storytellers of our nations. It is stories, honestly and richly told, that will sustain the India–Cyprus friendship for generations to come”, he concluded.
A moderated discussion and Q&A session followed, where media representatives asked questions and engaged directly with officials on the strategic partnership. Following a question from the audience, the High Commissioner of India highlighted Cyprus’s strategic geographic position, noting its potential as a regional energy and technology hub.
On the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), he emphasized Cyprus’s key role alongside regional partners such as Greece and Israel.
He added that close, coordinated efforts by all stakeholders will be essential to fully realize the corridor’s potential and to further strengthen India–Cyprus ties, creating a deeper, more resilient strategic partnership that advances bilateral cooperation and regional prosperity.