PM, Cyprus President focus on combating terrorism
WORLD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides focused on combating terrorism, including cross-border terrorism during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi Friday. Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, highlighted that both leaders condemned terrorism unequivocally expressing Cyprus's solidarity with India against cross-border terrorism.
They denounced the 2022 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the incident near the Red Fort, urging accountability for those responsible. The leaders called for robust international cooperation to combat terrorism in accordance with international law.
Discussions also included enhancing cooperation across several domains such as trade and investment, defense, maritime security, financial connectivity, technology, education and culture. This meeting marked a significant milestone, elevating India-Cyprus relations to a Strategic Partnership.
They exchanged various agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on forming a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and another for diplomatic training between their respective institutions.
Key announcements included establishing a Cyber Security Dialogue, a Consular Dialogue and a Roadmap for Bilateral Defence Cooperation for 2026-2031. Cyprus will also join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Defense and maritime activities were highlighted as crucial elements of their partnership, supported by the recently signed Bilateral Defence Cooperation programme 2026 in Nikosia establishing a structured framework for advancing their defense relationship.