16 Jun India and Cyprus: Strengthening Ties in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic India and Cyprus: Strengthening Ties in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape
SYLLABUS MAPPING:
GS-2-International relations- India and Cyprus: Strengthening Ties in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape
FOR PRELIMS
What are the key areas of cooperation between India and Cyprus?
FOR MAINS
What role has India played in UN peacekeeping in Cyprus?
Why in the News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM in 23 years to visit Cyprus. The visit holds diplomatic, strategic, and symbolic significance amid shifting geopolitical alignments, particularly concerning Turkey’s growing proximity to Pakistan.
Historical Foundations of India–Cyprus Relations
1. Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (1962): India was among the first non-European countries to recognise the Republic of Cyprus soon after its independence from British rule in 1960.
2. Leadership Bond: The bilateral relationship was shaped by the personal rapport between Archbishop Makarios (1st President of Cyprus) and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, reflecting shared democratic and anti-colonial values.
3. Shared Non-Aligned Vision: Both nations were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), advocating for a world order based on sovereign equality, peaceful coexistence, and non-alignment during the Cold War.
4. Support for Decolonisation: India strongly supported Cyprus’s struggle against British colonialism and consistently raised its cause in international fora, including the UN General Assembly.
5. Cyprus’s Support for India’s Unity: In return, Cyprus has consistently supported India’s stand on Kashmir, recognising it as an internal matter and backing India in the UN and other multilateral platforms.
6. Moral and Diplomatic Backing: India’s support extended beyond diplomacy to moral solidarity, reflecting a post-colonial kinship rooted in anti-imperial struggles.
7. UN Peacekeeping Legacy: India’s support was institutionalized with contributions to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), where Indian commanders served with distinction, deepening historical goodwill.
8. Symbolic Gestures of Friendship: Cyprus honoured Gen. K.S. Thimayya, an Indian peacekeeper who died in Cyprus in 1965, by naming a street after him in Larnaca and issuing a commemorative stamp in 1966, symbolizing long-standing gratitude
Political and Diplomatic Ties: India–Cyprus
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Establishment of Relations | Diplomatic relations were formally established on 10 February 1962. |
| Bilateral Mechanism | Regular high-level visits, MoUs, and consultations between foreign ministries. |
| Multilateral Cooperation | Close coordination in UN, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Commonwealth, IAEA, and NSG. |
| Support on Global Governance | Cyprus supports India’s bid for a permanent seat in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC). |
| Nuclear Diplomacy | Cyprus supported the India–U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement and backed India in NSG and IAEA. |
| South Asia Peace Recognition | Recognises India’s role as a stabilising force in South Asia and a responsible nuclear power. |
| Peacekeeping Collaboration | Cyprus values India’s UN Peacekeeping contributions, especially in the UNFICYP mission. |
| Shared Democratic Values | Both uphold sovereignty, democratic governance, rule of law, and peaceful dispute resolution. |
India’s UN Peacekeeping Contribution: UNFICYP
1. Key Role in UNFICYP: India has played a significant role in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), contributing senior military leadership since its early days.
2. Indian Force Commanders: India has provided three Force Commanders for UNFICYP — a rare distinction reflecting India’s global peacekeeping credibility.
3. Notable Commanders:
Gen. Kodandera Subayya Thimayya – the first Indian to command UNFICYP; died in Cyprus in 1965 while serving.
Maj Gen. Diwan Prem Chand – renowned for later leading peacekeeping efforts in Congo and Namibia.
Lt. Gen. Premindra Singh Gyani contributed to maintaining stability in the post-conflict scenario.
4. Commemorative Recognition: In 1966, Cyprus issued a commemorative stamp in Gen. Thimayya’s memory — a unique international tribute.
5. Symbol of India–Cyprus Friendship: India’s contribution to UNFICYP is viewed as a pillar of historical goodwill and trust between the two nations.
6. Upholding Global Peace Norms: India’s involvement in UNFICYP reflects its principled foreign policy focused on peace, non-alignment, and respect for sovereignty.
High-Level Visits and Engagements
| Year | Visit / Engagement | Key Outcomes / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Visit of President Nicos Anastasiades (Republic of Cyprus) to India | Strengthening of bilateral ties; discussions on economic and cultural cooperation |
| 2018 | Visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Cyprus | Reaffirmed commitment to deepening political and economic relations |
| 2022 | Visit of EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar to Cyprus | MoUs signed on Defence Cooperation and Migration & Mobility Partnership |
| 2022 | Cyprus joined International Solar Alliance | Membership signed during EAM’s visit |
| 2023–24 | Engagements on sidelines of UNGA, CHOGM, Doha Forum, and EU–EU-Indo-Pacific Forum | High-level bilateral discussions on multilateral platforms |
| 2023 | India participated in the Cyprus Maritime 2023 | Marked growing maritime cooperation and interest in the blue economy |
| 2023 | India took part in Commonwealth Legal Education Association Conference in Cyprus. | Legal and academic cooperation under Commonwealth framework |
India–Cyprus Defence Cooperation
1. MoU on Defence Cooperation: Signed on 29 Dec 2022 during EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit. Focuses on joint training, capacity building, and defence exchanges.
2. Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme (BDCP) – 2025: Signed on 23 Jan 2025, formalising structured military collaboration. Includes joint exercises, training, and defence industry ties.
3. AERO India 2025 Participation: Cypriot delegation joined the event and discussed expanding defence trade and maritime cooperation.
4. Strategic Value: Strengthens India’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Supports Make in India and defence diplomacy efforts.
India–Cyprus Economic and Commercial Relations
1. Bilateral Trade (2023–24): Total trade stood at USD 137 million, reflecting a recovering trajectory post COVID-19 disruptions.
2. India’s Major Exports to Cyprus: Include pharmaceuticals, textiles, iron & steel, ceramics, and machinery, showcasing India’s manufacturing strengths.
3. Cyprus’s Exports to India: Primarily pharmaceuticals, beverages, and other manufactured goods, highlighting niche industry cooperation.
4. COVID-19 Impact and Recovery: The pandemic affected trade volumes, but economic engagement is rebounding steadily.
5. Joint Economic Committee (JEC): Serves as the main institutional dialogue mechanism; last convened virtually in Oct 2021.
6. Cyprus–India Business Association (CIBA): Aims to enhance business-to-business (B2B) ties, promote investment, and foster innovation-led collaboration.
7. Invest India – Invest Cyprus MoU (2021): Signed to facilitate bilateral investments, ease of doing business, and partnership in emerging sectors.
8. Investment Gateway: Cyprus, being an EU member, serves as a strategic economic entry point for Indian companies into the European Union.
India–Cyprus: Recent Sectoral Cooperation (2024–25)
1. Digital Transformation & Innovation: Collaboration focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and emerging tech innovation.
2. High-Level Tech Dialogue: In September 2024, the Deputy Minister of Cyprus for Research, Innovation & Digital Policy participated in the CII India–Mediterranean Business Conclave in New Delhi.
3. Bilateral Tech Engagement: Key meeting held with India’s Minister of State for Commerce & IT to advance tech sector cooperation.
4. Legal and Human Rights Exchange: In October 2024, an Indian judicial delegation visited Cyprus to explore cooperation on legal reforms and child rights/welfare mechanisms.
Challenges in India–Cyprus Relations
1. Limited Trade Volume: Bilateral trade remains modest (USD 137 million in 2023–24), despite strong political goodwill.
2. Low Investment Flow: Though Cyprus has been a source of FDI into India in the past, recent investment momentum has slowed.
3. Connectivity Bottlenecks: Lack of direct air and sea links hinders people-to-people ties, tourism, and logistics-based trade.
4. Under-utilised Tourism Potential: Both countries have rich cultural and natural attractions, but tourism exchange is minimal due to low promotion and connectivity.
5. Limited Educational Exchange: Student mobility and institutional collaborations are far below potential, despite English-medium education and commonwealth links.
6. Untapped Fintech and Digital Cooperation: Opportunities in fintech, blockchain, and digital payments remain largely unexplored.
7. Lack of Frequent High-Level Engagements: While ties are cordial, limited frequency of high-level political visits and follow-ups restricts momentum.
8. Need for Sector-Specific Institutional Mechanisms: Absence of dedicated platforms in areas like climate change, startups, and green energy cooperation hampers targeted progress.
Way Forward
1. Diversify Economic Engagement: Expand bilateral trade beyond traditional sectors by tapping into renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and the digital economy.
2. Promote Startups and Innovation: Facilitate collaborative ecosystems for tech startups, including joint incubators and access to innovation funds.
3. Strengthen Defence Partnership: Deepen defence ties through joint training programs, naval cooperation, and technology sharing under the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme (BDCP).
4. Enhance Tourism Connectivity: Establish direct air links and tourism promotion campaigns to boost two-way travel.
5. Educational and Academic Exchanges: Promote student and faculty mobility by forging MoUs between universities and research institutions.
6. Leverage Diaspora Potential: Engage the Indian diaspora in Cyprus through cultural events, business forums, and consular outreach.
7. Boost Maritime and Logistics Cooperation: Utilise Cyprus’s maritime strength to develop India’s access to European shipping routes.
8. Institutionalize Sectoral Dialogues: Create dedicated bilateral working groups on fintech, cybersecurity, and sustainable development.
Conclusion
India–Cyprus relations are rooted in a shared post-colonial legacy, common democratic values, and mutual support in international forums. While historical goodwill and diplomatic warmth remain strong, the partnership is now evolving to embrace new-age priorities such as digital innovation, defence cooperation, and startup ecosystems. However, challenges like low trade volume, limited connectivity, and underutilised sectoral potential require focused policy interventions. Going forward, both nations must institutionalise sectoral engagement, deepen economic and strategic ties, and foster people-centric diplomacy to realise the full potential of this historically friendly and strategically significant partnership in the Mediterranean–Indo-Pacific arc.
Prelims Questions
Q. With reference to India–Cyprus relations, consider the following statements:
1. India has never contributed personnel to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
2. Cyprus is a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
3. Cyprus supports India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Mains Questions
Q. India and Cyprus share a historical legacy of post-colonial solidarity and democratic values, but the full potential of the partnership remains untapped.” Discuss the evolution, key areas of cooperation, recent developments, and the way forward in India–Cyprus relations.
(250 words, 15 marks)
No Comments