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On his official visit to Cyprus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive bilateral talks with President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Monday. The meeting, marked by a ceremonial welcome, focused on strengthening ties across multiple domains and underlined both countries’ shared commitment to peace, security, and global cooperation. Expressing gratitude, Prime Minister Modi thanked Cyprus for its firm condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam (April 2025), highlighting the strong solidarity between the two nations in the fight against terrorism. “Cyprus’s unwavering support reflects our mutual commitment to counter-terrorism efforts,” he noted. The leaders reaffirmed their respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. PM Modi reiterated India’s continued backing of a unified Cyprus and called for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, international law, and European Union principles. The talks covered a wide spectrum of bilateral cooperation — from trade and cultural exchange to defence and digital innovation. New areas such as fintech, artificial intelligence, start-ups, and mobility were identified as future avenues for collaboration. Significantly, both sides agreed to formulate a five-year roadmap aimed at boosting strategic cooperation. Key priorities include launching maritime and cyber security dialogues and enhancing intelligence-sharing mechanisms to jointly combat terrorism, arms smuggling, and narcotics trafficking. As Cyprus prepares for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, the leaders committed to further advancing the India–EU relationship. They reviewed progress on the India–EU Strategic Dialogue and stressed the urgency of concluding the long-delayed Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025. President Christodoulides assured India that Cyprus would champion the EU–India strategic partnership during its presidency, particularly in areas like green energy, defence, maritime security, and space collaboration. Both sides acknowledged the signing of the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme earlier in January 2025 as a key step toward deeper defence ties. They also welcomed the formation of the India-Greece-Cyprus Business and Investment Council, seen as a vital mechanism for expanding trilateral engagement. Discussions also touched on the need for improved air connectivity to boost business, tourism, and educational exchange. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the strategic significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), calling it a transformative initiative for long-term regional prosperity. On the global stage, India and Cyprus reaffirmed their shared commitment to reforming international governance institutions. PM Modi appreciated Cyprus’s support for India’s bid for permanent membership in a restructured United Nations Security Council, noting, “The global order must evolve to reflect current realities.” The leaders also exchanged views on international developments, including ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe. To bolster cultural ties, both countries signed an MoU to set up an India Studies Chair at the University of Nicosia under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The meeting underscored a growing convergence of strategic interests between India and Cyprus, setting the tone for a more robust partnership in the years ahead. Source: DD News