Christodoulides And Modi Hold Talks On Defence, IMEC And Counterterrorism

The New Delhi leg is the second part of Christodoulides’s visit to India, following an earlier stop in Mumbai focused on economic affairs. The visit aims to implement the Joint Action Plan 2025–2029 and translate political commitments into concrete outcomes.

According to government sources, the deliverables are intended to establish cooperation mechanisms, institutional continuity and practical communication channels between the two sides.

Significant announcements are expected from the talks, along with the signing of memoranda of understanding. Defence cooperation is among the areas expected to produce announcements.

According to Phileleftheros, the visit is expected to add continuity, structure and direction to the defence relationship. Areas of interest include maritime security, cybersecurity, crisis management, expertise exchange, search and rescue, counterterrorism, defence industry and dual-use technology cooperation.

Defence industry collaboration is considered particularly significant, government sources said, as India has a rapidly growing defence production ecosystem while Cyprus is seeking to develop its own emerging defence industry.

Cooperation with Indian partners could open fields of collaboration in drones, cybersecurity, maritime surveillance, space applications and dual-use solutions, according to the same sources.

IMEC also features prominently in the visit. The corridor, which links India, the Middle East and Europe, covers not only the movement of goods but also supply chain resilience, energy and digital connectivity, infrastructure investment, logistics, technology and geopolitical stability, according to government sources.

Cyprus, as the EU member state closest to the Middle East with a strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, a strong maritime ecosystem and a European institutional framework, could serve as a natural European gateway to the corridor in the region, the same sources said. Limassol is already one of the EU’s significant maritime hubs, with expertise and networks that Indian companies and investors could draw on.

Christodoulides was received at New Delhi by Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. National anthems were played by a military band and the President inspected a guard of honour. He stepped off the plane wearing a traditional waistcoat, a gift from Prime Minister Modi.

During the visit, Christodoulides will meet Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, visit the Gandhi Memorial and hold a one-on-one meeting with Modi, to be followed by expanded delegation talks.

The two leaders are expected to sign a Joint Declaration and a series of memoranda of understanding covering defence and security, education and culture. In the evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host an official dinner in honour of the Cypriot President at the Presidential Palace.