India-Cyprus Ties Strengthen with Focus on Defence and Economic Cooperation
New Delhi : India and the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) are witnessing a deepening of bilateral ties, marked by notable strides in defence and economic collaboration. Anchored in shared strategic interests and mutual commitment to a rules-based international order, the two nations continue to expand their engagement across key sectors.
Defence Cooperation Gains Momentum
A significant milestone in defence cooperation was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation during External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Cyprus on December 29, 2022. Building on this, both countries signed the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme (BDCP) for 2025 in Nicosia on January 23, 2025, establishing a structured framework for enhanced military exchanges and strategic collaboration.
Demonstrating this growing partnership, a high-level Cypriot defence delegation led by Anna Aristotelous, Permanent Secretary of the Cypriot Ministry of Defence, took part in Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14. On the sidelines, Aristotelous held talks with India’s Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, to explore avenues for further deepening bilateral defence ties.
India’s Defence Attaché to Cyprus, based at the Indian Embassy in Cairo, continues to play a crucial role in defence diplomacy and coordination.
Economic Ties Remain Resilient
On the economic front, India-Cyprus trade relations have shown resilience despite global disruptions, especially those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to data from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), bilateral trade in 2023–24 stood at USD 137 million.
India’s major exports to Cyprus include:
Pharmaceuticals
Textiles
Ceramic products
Iron and steel
Machinery and chemicals
Cyprus’s exports to India feature:
Pharmaceuticals
Beverages
Manufactured goods
Cyprus also continues to be a key player in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India. Several Indian firms see Cyprus as a strategic hub for entering and operating within the European Union market.
Looking Ahead
As both countries work to further strengthen their diplomatic, strategic, and commercial ties, recent developments highlight the importance of Cyprus as a trusted partner for India, particularly in defence cooperation and economic connectivity with Europe. The ongoing initiatives signal a commitment to a future of mutually beneficial cooperation.
