India and Cyprus Advance Defense and Maritime Strategic Partnership
India and Cyprus are strengthening strategic ties through new defense roadmaps and maritime cooperation agreements following high-level diplomatic meetings in Nicosia and Limassol.
The Government of India and the Government of Cyprus are expanding their strategic partnership through a series of diplomatic and military engagements focused on security and trade. In early October, Indian High Commissioner Manisha Koirala met with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia to mark the 66th anniversary of Cyprus's independence and convey greetings from President Droupadi Murmu.
Diplomatic efforts shifted toward security and infrastructure in subsequent meetings. High Commissioner Koirala coordinated with Cyprus Minister of Transport Evie Tsolaki on connectivity and later met with Spyros Miltiades, Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Defence, on October 5. These discussions focused on the India–Cyprus Defence Cooperation Roadmap for 2026–2031, which prioritizes cybersecurity, maritime security, capacity building, and defense industry partnerships.
Maritime cooperation has also progressed following the first India-Cyprus Joint Maritime Committee meeting on September 29 in Limassol. Co-chaired by S. Venkatesapathy of India and Theodoulos Mesimeris of Cyprus, the committee addressed green shipping, merchant shipping, and seafarer welfare. To build on this momentum, the two nations are preparing for a visit by the Cypriot Shipping Deputy Minister to India and a Maritime Business Forum scheduled for November 2026 in Mumbai to explore new investment opportunities.
