Cyprus Foreign Minister Dr. Constantinos Kombos meets India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral ties (Photo: X | @ICWA_NewDelhi)
During visit to New Delhi, Cyprus's Foreign Minister, Dr. Constantinos Kombos, reaffirmed that India has consistently stood by Cyprus on the Cyprus question the decades long territorial dispute since Turkey's invasion in 1974.
Grateful for India's strong backing of Cyprus in its sovereignty and adherence to UN Security Council resolutions, Dr. Kombos visit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's groundbreaking visit to Cyprus earlier in 2025, revitalizing bilateral cooperation through a five-year Joint Action Plan on defense, trade, culture, education and mobility.
Defence cooperation was a significant part of the conversation between Dr. Kombos and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The Cypriot minister identified cooperation in joint training, crisis coordination and possible defence procurement as areas of interest among the priorities, given its strategically sensitive location.
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Dr. Kombos said that discussions also included frequent Indian naval deployments and other future collaborations on defence technology, training and manufacturing.
Cyprus is already among the top 10 foreign investors in India, with close to US$15 billion in cumulative investments since 2000. Dr. Kombos stressed that there is further scope for growth in fields such as maritime trade, shipping, and technology.
Over 160 Indian-owned or Indian-majority companies operate in Cyprus, making the island a base for Indian firms entry into Europe with Cyprus set to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2026, it is expected to play a constructive role in bringing closure on the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement a deal both sides see as mutually advantageous.
During the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, Dr. Kombos showed keen interest in making Cyprus part of the IMEC. He noticed that its geographical location, combined with its strong maritime and financial sectors, represents an indication that it is naturally bound to take part in the corridor.
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Despite regional challenges going up to the Gaza conflict, he underlined that increased connectivity means increased economic resilience and mutual benefit for all participating nations.
The Cypriot minister praised India's principled support for international law and reiterated his country's backing for India's bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. He also condemned terrorism in all forms, reaffirming solidarity with India after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
Cyprus stands ready to enhance intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation. As the island prepares for greater leadership within the EU, Dr. Kombos noted that Cyprus partnership with India will remain rooted in shared values of democracy, peace and rule of law.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on official statements and diplomatic discussions; interpretations are editorial and not government-endorsed.
