Cyprus and India are seeking to strengthen defence cooperation, with discussions on Tuesday covering defence industry partnerships, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and closer naval ties, including maritime security, joint training and visits by Indian naval vessels.

As part of these efforts, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas met Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in Nicosia on Tuesday.

In a post on X, Palmas said the meeting focused on cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries, as well as developing synergies in cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

The Indian delegation, accompanied by High Commissioner Manish, also visited the Mari naval base on Monday, where Singh met the commander of the Cyprus Naval Command, Commodore Nicolaos Luca.

The Indian delegation at Mari

Discussions focused on strengthening navy-to-navy cooperation through exchanges between naval leadership, maritime security and maritime domain awareness, search and rescue coordination, joint training, professional exchanges and port calls by Indian naval vessels.

The talks formed part of the roadmap for bilateral defence cooperation covering 2026 to 2031, with particular emphasis on maintaining regular contact between the two navies and developing practical areas of cooperation.

During the visit, the Indian delegation also boarded the Cyprus Navy’s offshore patrol vessel, Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61), at Mari.

The Indian defence secretary on Monday, also visited the Makedonitissa military cemetery in Nicosia, where he laid a wreath and signed the visitors’ book in honour of Greek and Cypriot servicemen who lost their lives defending Cyprus in 1974.

The Indian delegation also visited the Makedonitissa cemetery

India has consistently supported the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus and has a longstanding connection with the island’s security through its participation in the United Nations peacekeeping force.

According to India’s defence ministry, maritime security and defence industry cooperation are among the main priorities of the visit, which follows President Nikos Christodoulides’ trip to India in May and efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Singh will subsequently travel to Greece, where he is scheduled to meet senior defence and military officials.