In a world marked by shifting alliances and emerging power centers, the relationship between India and Cyprus shines as a testament to enduring friendship, mutual respect, and shared vision. From the earliest days of Cyprus’s independence, India was beside the island, recognizing its sovereignty in 1960 but also supporting the country in its fight for self-determination . That foundational solidarity laid the groundwork for a partnership rooted in democracy, law, and anti-colonial values.
Over the decades, the ties between New Delhi and Nicosia have grown stronger and more multifaceted. Indian peacekeepers have served with honor in Cyprus under the UN flag; three Indian generals led UNFICYP—Major General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya remains etched in national memory, with a street in Larnaca bearing his name and a commemorative stamp marking his sacrifice in 1966. Diplomatic engagement has been continual, from Prime Minister Vajpayee’s 2002 visit, which saw Cyprus endorse India’s UN Security Council ambitions, to reciprocal exchanges by Presidents and Foreign Ministers across continents.
As both nations embraced economic opportunity, collaboration deepened in trade, investment, education, technology, defence, and green energy. In 2002, five agreements were signed spanning IT, science, telecommunications, culture, and health. More recently, New Delhi inked a defence cooperation MoU, mobility pact, and support for Cyprus’s joining the International Solar Alliance, affirming their shared commitment to security, mobility and sustainability .
Today, the launch of the India–Greece–Cyprus Business & Investment Council sends a powerful signal of economic synergy. This trilateral initiative, backed by industry leaders and key financial institutions, is set to serve as a major catalyst for cross-border trade, technology, infrastructure, shipping, and SME cooperation.
But the story reaches a new zenith this month, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a three-nation tour that begins in Cyprus and continues to Canada and Croatia. His arrival in Nicosia is more than a diplomatic courtesy, it is a milestone that symbolizes the unwavering, long-standing trust between India and Cyprus and underscores the strategic importance of this relationship in an increasingly complex world.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold high-level meetings with Cypriot leadership, signing new agreements to broaden cooperation, likely spanning trade, technology, security, and energy. Against the backdrop of Cyprus’s role as a gateway to Europe and India’s global ambitions, these discussions are poised to yield mutually beneficial frameworks that unlock fresh economic opportunity.
For global corporations, investors, entrepreneurs, top executives and important individuals in enterprise, culture, sport and philanthropy, the India–Cyprus connection presents a unique opportunity. Cyprus is not only a safe, Western-aligned EU hub with open skies, stable governance, and a sophisticated financial and legal ecosystem, it is also a launching pad to India’s dynamic market and growing digital economy. As companies seek reliable platforms for trade, talent mobility, and innovation, the synergy between Cyprus’s business-friendly environment and India’s growth trajectory is striking.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit offers a clear signal to top executives, founders, and decision-makers: India is deepening its commitment to Cyprus; Cyprus is reinforcing its role as a strategic economic platform, and together they are building a bridge of stability, prosperity, and purpose.
In this context, Cyprus emerges as the ideal setting to set up headquarters, regional offices, joint ventures, or cultural partnerships. From European clarity to Indian dynamism, the partnership between these two countries is now entering an exciting new chapter, one defined by optimism, ambition, and a shared vision for a more stable, interconnected global future.
By Marios Andreou, Director, International Corporate Services