India, Cyprus to develop roadmap to provide strategic direction to bilateral cooperation, strengthen defence cooperation: PM Modi
Jun 16, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that India and Cyprus will develop a strong roadmap to provide strategic direction to cooperation between the two countries.
He lauded the support of Cyprus for India becoming a permanent member of the Security Council and the country's continued support in India's fight against cross-border terrorism.
"After two decades, an Indian Prime Minister has visited Cyprus. This is an opportunity to write a new chapter in the India-Cyprus partnership. President Nikos Christodoulides and I held bilateral talks. Cyprus's Vision 2035 and India's Viksit Bharat 2047 have similarities. That is why we will be working together towards our shared growth. Over the next five years, we will develop a robust roadmap to provide strategic direction to our cooperation," PM Modi said during the joint press statement with the Cyprus President.
"To further strengthen defence and security cooperation, emphasis will be laid on defence industry under the bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme. A separate dialogue will be initiated on cyber and maritime security," he added.
He thanked the Cyprus President for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him.
"The affection shown by the President and the people of Cyprus since I set foot on the soil of Cyprus yesterday has touched my heart. Just a while ago, I was honoured with Cyprus' highest civilian award. This award is not just mine but it is the award of 140 crore Indians. This is a stamp of unbreakable friendship between India and Cyprus. For this, I once again express my heartfelt gratitude," he said.
"We are grateful for Cyprus' continued support in India's fight against cross-border terrorism. To prevent terrorism, drugs and arms trafficking, a mechanism for real-time information exchange between our agencies will be developed," he added.
PM Modi and the Cyprus President held delegation-level talks earlier.
The Prime Minister said that India and the European Union are working to concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year.
"I had a discussion with President Nikos Christodoulides on the economic relations between our two countries. I noticed a sense of excitement and synergy within the business community regarding this. India and the European Union are working to concluding a Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year. Earlier this year, the India-Cyprus-Greece Business and Investment Council was launched. These initiatives will further strengthen business ties among our countries."
He called Cyprus a "favourite destination" for Indian tourists and said emphasis will be laid on creating direct air connectivity for them.
"We are excited to see the spread of yoga and Ayurveda in Cyprus," he said.
