During a state visit to New Delhi from May 20–23, President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus and Indian leaders issued a Joint Statement that upgraded their Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed wide-ranging cooperation. The visit took place while Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Both countries called for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council to make it more effective, efficient and representative, and Cyprus reiterated firm support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed UNSC.
On the Cyprus issue, India and Cyprus expressed strong commitment to resuming talks aimed at a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in line with the UN framework and relevant Security Council resolutions. They underlined the importance of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), and President Christodoulides thanked India for its contributions to the mission. India reaffirmed its consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus and stressed respect for UN resolutions and international law.
The leaders emphasized shared values—peace, democracy, rule of law, effective multilateralism and a rules-based international order anchored in the UN Charter. They also highlighted the relevance of UNCLOS for freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and sovereign maritime rights.
Progress under the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025–2029 was welcomed, including deepening political dialogue, business ties, defence contacts and cooperation in innovation and technology. The two sides agreed to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 with special events.
Cultural cooperation was advanced by signing an MoU to support exchanges in visual and performing arts, heritage conservation and creative industries. Both countries noted growing Cypriot interest in Yoga, Ayurveda and Indian culture and committed to boosting two-way tourism. A new Consular Dialogue was launched to address consular matters arising from expanding people-to-people links.
President Christodoulides congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, and both sides exchanged views on safe, trustworthy and inclusive AI development. The Joint Statement said the visit marks a decisive step in transforming a historically strong relationship into a new strategic chapter, with Cyprus and India positioned as partners and connectors between Europe, the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific to advance peace, stability, connectivity and prosperity.
