Speaking at the India–Cyprus Business & Investment Summit 2026, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Stelios Kountouris stated that Cyprus-India cooperation has now acquired a "new level of ambition, trust and strategic depth."
Kountouris' speech was read by George Stavrou, Head, Defence Industry Development Department, Ministry of Defence (pictured above) at the India –Cyprus Business & Investment Summit 2026, organised by the High Commission of India.
In his statement, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence referred to the official visit of the Prime Minister of India to the Republic of Cyprus in June 2025, noting that it “marked a turning point in bilateral relations”. As he underlined, this visit demonstrated that the partnership “is no longer defined only by long-standing friendship and shared values, but also by a results-oriented, future agenda.”
Particular reference was made to the importance of the timing, as from 1 January 2026, the Republic of Cyprus assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in a period of intense geopolitical changes where “defence, security and strategic autonomy are high on the European agenda.” In this context, he underlined the role of Cyprus “as a reliable bridge connecting India with Europe and the broader security architecture”.
Kountouris noted that the Ministry of Defence approaches cooperation “not narrowly, but as an ecosystem that connects industry, technology, research, human capital and strategic policy.” He stressed that defence industrial cooperation, maritime security and advanced technologies – such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and space applications – are areas of complementary potential for the two countries.
Finally, he set as priorities the institutional strengthening of dialogue, the facilitation of synergies between defence industries and the promotion of joint projects that will be "realistic, scalable and mutually beneficial."
(Source: InBusinessNews)
