Cyprus President Calls for Stronger India-EU Strategic Partnership

New Delhi, May 2026 : Stressing the importance of closer cooperation between India and the European Union (EU) amid growing global uncertainty, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday said the India-EU relationship is rapidly expanding beyond economic ties into a broader strategic partnership based on shared interests and global stability.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after bilateral talks in New Delhi, President Christodoulides said the changing geopolitical landscape makes stronger engagement between India and Europe more important than ever.

He noted that the India-EU partnership is no longer limited to trade and investment, but is evolving into a comprehensive strategic relationship rooted in common responsibilities, resilience, peace and prosperity.

According to the Cypriot President, Europe and India have significant opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas such as security, technology, innovation, trade and regional connectivity. He said both sides are increasingly aligned in addressing emerging global challenges and building trusted international partnerships.

Highlighting the historical ties between India and Cyprus, Christodoulides said the relationship is built on shared democratic values, support for international law and similar struggles for freedom and self-determination. He remarked that the people-to-people connections between the two countries go back centuries and continue to strengthen bilateral relations.

He also underlined that strengthening ties with India remains a key priority during Cyprus’s Presidency of the European Union. Christodoulides said Cyprus can play a major role in bringing India and Europe closer due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Calling Cyprus a stable and reliable bridge between India and Europe, the President said the country is well-positioned to support stronger political and economic engagement between the two regions.

During the discussions, both leaders also exchanged views on regional connectivity initiatives, including the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Describing IMEC as a visionary project, Christodoulides said the corridor reflects the growing importance of trusted connectivity linking the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe.

He stated that Cyprus is prepared to actively contribute to the ambitious initiative because of its strategic geographical position and strong links with Europe and the wider Mediterranean region.

The bilateral talks between India and Cyprus focused on expanding cooperation in several sectors, including trade, investment, defence, technology, education, mobility, artificial intelligence, fintech, innovation and research.

President Christodoulides is currently on an official visit to India, aimed at further strengthening the growing partnership between the two countries.