India stresses consistent support to Cyprus sovereignty, Joint Declaration of Cyprus - India leaders says

India reiterates its unwavering and consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus, a Joint Declaration issued in the framework of the official visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus says. 

It adds that in this regard, both sides emphasized the need to avoid unilateral actions as essential for creating a conducive environment for the resumption of meaningful negotiations.

The Joint Declaration on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of India says that President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, warmly welcomed Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for an official visit to Cyprus from 15 to 16 June 2025.

"Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades, marks a historic milestone and reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations. The visit celebrates not only a shared history, but a forward-looking partnership, rooted in a joint strategic vision and mutual trust and respect," the Declaration reads.

Cyprus and India, it says, expressed their strong commitment to the resumption of UN-facilitated efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Question on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the agreed UN framework and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

"India reiterated its unwavering and consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. In this regard, both sides emphasized the need to avoid unilateral actions as essential for creating a conducive environment for the resumption of meaningful negotiations."

They also reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order, grounded in the UN Charter and international law, placing particular emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with regard to freedom of navigation and sovereign maritime rights.

The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and held detailed discussions on international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed the importance of upholding the global non-proliferation architecture, recognising the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers group, it adds. 

The leaders expressed their intention to strengthen coordination within international organisations, including within the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

Both leaders discussed the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council, including ways to make it more effective, efficient, and representative of the contemporary geopolitical challenges.

In addition, the two leaders expressed support to forward movement in the Intergovernmental Negotiations on United Nations Security Council reform, and reiterated their commitment to make continuous efforts to move towards text-based negotiations. Cyprus reiterated its support for the enhancement of the representative character of the United Nations Security Council expansion with India as a permanent member in an expanded United Nations Security Council.

Both sides agreed to engage in close co-operation and support each other at the United Nations including supporting each other’s candidacies to multilateral forums.

The two sides agreed to hold regular political dialogue and to utilise existing bilateral mechanisms, inter alia those between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India, to streamline coordination and advance cooperation across various sectors. 

It also says that Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism.

"The two leaders strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India. They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances. They emphasised that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable," the Joint Declaration continues.

They also agreed to deepen their defence and security cooperation, including through collaboration between their respective defence industries, with a special focus on cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

Recognising both India and Cyprus as maritime nations with deep-rooted naval traditions, the leaders also discussed expanding cooperation to include the maritime domain. They will encourage more regular port calls by Indian naval vessels and explore opportunities for joint maritime training and exercises to enhance maritime domain awareness and regional security.

As far as Connectivity and Regional Cooperation is concerned, Cyprus and India share a strategic vision of serving as bridges between regions. "Both leaders underscored the significance of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)" Viewing IMEC as a catalyst for constructive regional cooperation, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasised the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from the Indian peninsula through the wider Middle East to Europe, it adds.

"While recognising Cyprus’ role as a gateway into Europe and, in this context, its prospect to serve as a regional hub for transshipment, storage, distribution, and logistics, they welcomed the prospect of Indian shipping companies establishing a presence in Cyprus, encouraging the advancement of maritime cooperation through joint ventures involving Cyprus-based and Indian maritime service providers as a means of further strengthening economic and logistical ties".

Looking ahead to Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening EU–India relations. 

"Cyprus pledged to work towards the advancement of the EU-India strategic partnership during the Presidency. Both sides expressed readiness to support the conclusion of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year recognising its significant economic and strategic potential. They also expressed their support for the ongoing work through the EU–India Trade and Technology Council and committed to sustaining a forward-looking agenda beyond the 2025 Strategic Roadmap to deepen this key global partnership".

Regarding Trade, Innovation, Technology and Economic Opportunity, it is stated that recognising the growing strategic complementarity between Cyprus and India, the leaders committed to expanding economic ties through increased trade, investment, and collaboration in science, innovation, and research.

The two sides decided to work to finalise a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025.

They agreed to explore opportunities for enhancing tourism and the establishment of direct air connectivity between Cyprus and India, as well as enhanced air routes via shared partners, to improve ease of travel and boost bilateral exchanges.

"This Joint Declaration reaffirms the strategic bond between Cyprus and India. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to flourish, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across their regions and beyond," the declaration adds.

The leaders agreed that an Action Plan is to be prepared in order to guide bilateral relations between Cyprus and India for the next five years, under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India, it concludes. 

(Source: CNA)