New Delhi

India and Cyprus on Friday elevated their bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership, marking a significant milestone in ties between the two nations. Amid the diplomatic engagements, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides also shared a light moment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by taking a selfie together to commemorate what he described as a “new era” in bilateral relations.

President Christodoulides later shared the photograph on social media platform X from Hyderabad House in New Delhi. In his post, he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the people of India for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation during the state visit. He also noted that it was a privilege to return to India nearly a year after PM Modi’s landmark visit to Cyprus.

The visit saw both countries expand cooperation across several sectors. India and Cyprus agreed to establish a joint task force to strengthen collaboration in areas including infrastructure, shipping, and economic engagement.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Modi after delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House, President Christodoulides said the discussions reaffirmed that relations between the two nations had entered a new phase, with growing cooperation in fields such as defence, security, maritime affairs and technology.

The Cypriot leader also praised the strengthening partnership between India and the European Union and strongly endorsed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), describing it as a “visionary initiative.”

Highlighting Cyprus’ current role as holder of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, Christodoulides said his country could serve as a dependable and stable bridge between India and the EU.

During the joint statement, Prime Minister Modi formally announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, saying the move would inject fresh momentum and ambition into India-Cyprus relations. He also pointed out that investments flowing from Cyprus into India had nearly doubled over the past ten years, reflecting the growing economic partnership.

The two countries additionally exchanged several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), underscoring the expanding scope of cooperation under the new strategic partnership framework.

President Christodoulides arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after completing the Mumbai leg of his four-day state visit to India, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

The Cypriot President was accompanied by a senior delegation that included Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, along with top officials and business representatives. The visit carries particular diplomatic significance as it comes less than a year after PM Modi’s June 2025 visit to Cyprus — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Mediterranean nation in more than 20 years.

During his stay in Mumbai, Christodoulides participated in a business forum aimed at boosting trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

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As India and Cyprus prepare to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, officials from both sides have described the visit as an important step toward deepening bilateral engagement and enhancing cooperation within the wider India-European Union partnership framework.