The State Visit of Nikos Christodoulides to India concluded on Saturday with both countries announcing a major upgrade in bilateral relations by elevating ties to a Strategic Partnership.
The visit is being viewed as a significant step towards strengthening cooperation between India and Cyprus across diplomacy, trade, education and security sectors.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit marked a new chapter in bilateral ties.
“A productive visit concludes. President Christodulides departed from New Delhi after a successful State Visit. He was seen off by Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Ajay Tamta. The visit gave a significant boost to India–Cyprus ties and marked a new chapter with the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership,” Jaiswal posted on X.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described India’s partnership with Cyprus as “strong and futuristic”, rooted in shared democratic values.
Following delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, PM Modi said both countries had agreed to elevate their relationship into a Strategic Partnership in view of growing bilateral engagement.
“Ours is indeed a strong and futuristic partnership rooted in shared values. The growing investment linkages between our nations are a matter of immense joy, and we hope to increase trade and economic ties in the times to come,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides discussed several areas of cooperation, including the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, collaboration between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Cyprus’ Diplomatic Academy, as well as partnerships in higher education and research.
President Christodoulides also shared a photograph with PM Modi on X and thanked India for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
During the visit, the Cyprus President paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before attending official engagements in the national capital.
-IANS
