Cyprus and India strengthen ties on military cooperation and green technologies

Nicosia and New Delhi sought to strengthen ties on Thursday, signing agreements aimed to tighten military cooperation and expand the use of solar energy technology.

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said after a meeting with India’s visiting foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, that an initial agreement would act as a springboard for talks on ways to strengthen cooperation on military and defence matters.

Another framework agreement involves Cyprus joining the International Solar Alliance, an organisation comprising 90 countries that aims to develop and facilitate access to solar energy technology as part of the global transition to renewable energy sources.

In statements to the press later, Kasoulides spoke of the two nations’ historic ties and “parallel experiences, such as with the anti-colonial movement and their common paths toward independence.”

Cyprus’ chief diplomat said Thursday’s talks confirmed the “excellent relationship that has grown over the last 60 years of diplomatic ties between Cyprus and India.

“This stable partnership continues to diversify and deepen across all levels.”

Kasoulides said he and his Indian counterpart, and their respective teams, also explored ways of further boosting ties in areas such as trade, investment, merchant shipping, tourism, and education.

The two foreign ministers additionally discussed international affairs, including the Ukraine conflict and the situation in Afghanistan.

For his part, Jaishankar spoke of “significant agreements” being concluded in Nicosia.

He said the two governments held “very productive discussions…relating to Cyprus-India bilateral relations, our multifaceted cooperation, geopolitical and regional challenges, and exchanged views about our respective neighbourhoods, the Indo-Pacific region, the Middle East, Europe, as well as India-EU relations.”

The Indian foreign minister reiterated his country’s commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal settlement on Cyprus based on UN resolutions.

He said further that India, holding the Presidency of the G-20 from December 1 of this year through to November 2023, will work to ensure that as many countries as possible participate in the format.

The 43 heads of delegations – the largest ever in G20 – will be participating in the final New Delhi summit in September next year.