NEW DELHI: India and the Republic of Cyprus have continued to strengthen their bilateral partnership, with notable progress in defence and economic collaboration in recent years. Anchored in shared strategic interests and a commitment to a rules-based international order, the two countries are expanding cooperation across key sectors.

A major milestone in defence relations was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation on December 29, 2022, during the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Cyprus. Building on this, both nations signed the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme (BDCP) for 2025 in Nicosia on January 23, 2025, establishing a structured framework for enhanced military and defence exchanges.

The growing defence ties were further reflected in the participation of a high-level Cypriot delegation, led by Anna Aristotelous, Permanent Secretary of the Cypriot Ministry of Defence, at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. On the sidelines of the event, Aristotelous met with India’s Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, to discuss avenues for deeper collaboration in defence and security.

India's defence engagement with Cyprus is also supported through the concurrent accreditation of its Defence Attaché to the RoC, operating from the Indian Embassy in Cairo.

On the economic front, bilateral trade has shown steady resilience amid global headwinds. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, trade between India and Cyprus reached USD 137 million in 2023–24. India’s major exports to Cyprus include pharmaceuticals, textiles, ceramic products, iron and steel, machinery, and chemicals. Cyprus, in turn, exports pharmaceuticals, beverages, and various manufactured goods to India.

Despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries are actively working to boost trade and investment. Cyprus remains a key source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, while Indian companies continue to see Cyprus as a strategic entry point into the European Union market.

With expanding cooperation in defence and economic spheres, India and Cyprus are poised to take their bilateral relationship to new heights in the coming years.