President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, arrived in India on a state visit. On Wednesday afternoon, President Christodoulides, accompanied by Ministers and a business delegation, arrived in Mumbai, the first stop of his visit, where he received an official welcome.
President Christodoulides disembarked from the aircraft wearing traditional Indian attire. He was welcomed at the airport by the Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Minister of Protocol of the State of Maharashtra. In the presence of a Guard of Honor, the President walked along the red carpet.
Upon arriving at the Taj Mahal Palace, the President attended a brief traditional welcome ceremony featuring traditional dances.
Later, the President of the Republic will pay tribute to the victims of the 2008 terrorist attacks by observing a minute of silence and laying a wreath at the memorial. In November 26, 2008, armed terrorists carried out a series of attacks across Mumbai. One of the targeted locations was the Taj Mahal Palace, which the terrorists occupied for three days, resulting in the tragic deaths of 34 people, including Cypriot national Andreas Liveras.
In Mumbai, India’s financial center, President Christodoulides will on Thursday morning address the Cyprus–India Business Forum, hold meetings with Indian business leaders and investors, attend the inauguration of the Representative Office of Eurobank, and visit the National Stock Exchange of India.
“In the country’s economic and business hub, President Christodoulides will hold important meetings aimed at further strengthening relations between Cyprus and India in the fields of economy, investment, shipping, technology, and innovation,” Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a post on X, noting that Cyprus is promoting its role as a reliable European gateway for Indian businesses and as a stable partner in a region of growing geoeconomic importance.
The President and the delegation accompanying him will then travel to New Delhi. There, on Friday, the President of the Republic will meet with the Prime Minister of India and later with the President of India, who will host an official dinner in his honour.
The visit is accompanied by a large business delegation of representatives from more than 45 Cypriot companies, underscoring the growing economic interest between the two countries. As part of the presidential visit, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in collaboration with Invest Cyprus and their Indian counterparts, is organising a Business Forum expected to attract more than 200 Indian entrepreneurs and company representatives from a wide range of sectors.
Speaking to InBusinessNews, CCCI Secretary General Philokypros Rousounides described the presidential business mission as “a historic and strategically important initiative for strengthening economic and trade relations between Cyprus and India.”
He noted that the mission, organised jointly by the CCCI and Invest Cyprus in close cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, represents the largest business delegation sent to the Indian market in decades.
Early outcomes of the visit are already being described as encouraging. Notably, Ellinas Finance has become the first Cypriot company to be listed on the newly established NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) of India, a platform designed for companies not registered within the country.
The development is seen as a significant step in deepening bilateral financial cooperation and enhancing Cyprus’ presence in the Indian market.
Read also: Historic debut: Ellinas Finance becomes first Cypriot firm on India’s stock exchange (pics)
