New Delhi, May 22, 2026 — President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday and hosted a state banquet in his honour, underscoring the growing ties between India and Cyprus.
Murmu described the bilateral relationship as a Strategic Partnership, reflecting deepening trust and expanding cooperation. She said the partnership has matured and now encompasses a wider range of priority areas, including defence and security, technology, financial services, connectivity and maritime collaboration.
Noting Cyprus’ role as a significant source of foreign direct investment into India, the President observed that Cypriot companies are increasingly exploring trade and investment opportunities in India’s large market. She highlighted India’s strengths—digital transformation, infrastructure expansion and manufacturing capacity—as attractive features for Cypriot investors.
Technology and innovation were singled out as especially promising fields for collaboration. Murmu pointed to complementarities between India’s young tech talent, strong start-up ecosystem and Cyprus’ innovation initiatives, saying both countries can benefit from closer ties in research, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies.
She identified semiconductors, renewable and green energy, space, sustainable development and artificial intelligence as priority areas with substantial scope for joint initiatives and investment.
Murmu also highlighted Cyprus’ upcoming role presiding over the Council of the European Union, saying the island can help deepen economic engagement between India and Europe, particularly once an India-EU Free Trade Agreement is finalised.
On strategic issues, the President thanked Cyprus for its support on countering cross-border terrorism and for backing reforms of multilateral institutions. She reaffirmed India’s steadfast support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus.
Both leaders agreed that closer cooperation across the identified sectors would deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of India and Cyprus and open new avenues for economic and strategic partnership.
The visit included official meetings and events designed to strengthen political dialogue and spur business ties, reflecting a mutual intent to translate shared priorities into concrete projects and investments.
