India, Cyprus deepen defence ties with focus on naval cooperation and emerging tech

New Delhi: India and Cyprus have discussed strengthening defence cooperation, with a focus on the defence industry, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. The discussions took place during a meeting between defence secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and Cypriot defence minister, Vasilis Palmas, on Tuesday, the second day of Singh’s official visit to Cyprus.

In a post on X, Palmas said the meeting aimed to further strengthen defence ties between the two countries. Both sides discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies and the defence sector.

On Monday, Singh met Cypriot naval commander commodore Nicolaos Luca at Mari naval base. India offered training, capacity building and technical assistance to the Cypriot Navy to enhance maritime security. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen maritime and security cooperation.

On Tuesday, the Indian delegation held further discussions on Navy-to-Navy engagement. The talks focused on exchanges between naval leadership, maritime domain awareness, search-and-rescue coordination, joint training, professional exchanges and port calls by Indian naval vessels. The discussions aimed to advance practical naval cooperation under the roadmap for bilateral defence cooperation (2026-2031).

India’s high commissioner to Cyprus, Manish, accompanied Singh and the Indian defence delegation during their visit to Mari naval base. Singh also visited the Cyprus Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, commodore Andreas Loannides (P61). The delegation met the ship’s officers and crew and received a briefing from the Cyprus Naval Command. The visit provided an operational perspective on maritime security and closer naval cooperation.

During the visit, Singh also met Cyprus foreign ministry political director ambassador, Salina Sambos, on Monday. Their discussions covered bilateral, regional and global issues. Both sides reiterated their commitment to expanding the defence and strategic partnership, with a focus on maritime security and defence industrial cooperation.

The Indian delegation also held discussions with representatives of Cyprus’s business and defence industries. The meeting explored opportunities for cooperation in defence, space and dual-use technologies.

Singh’s engagements in Nicosia included a meeting with Khassim Diagne, special representative of the UN secretary general, and force commander major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam. They discussed the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), India’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and continued support for the mission.

Singh also paid tribute to fallen Cypriot soldiers at the Makedonitissa Military Cemetery. He later paid respects at the Monument of a Mother Waiting for Her Children to Return, honouring civilians who lost their lives.

He arrived in Cyprus for an official visit from October 12 to 13. The visit follows Cypriot president, Nikos Christodoulides, trip to India in May 2026, which gave fresh momentum to the bilateral strategic partnership.

Maritime security and defence industrial cooperation are key priorities of the visit. After concluding his engagements in Cyprus, Singh is scheduled to travel to Greece to meet senior defence and military officials and discuss ways to strengthen bilateral defence ties.