DOING BUSINESS C YPRUS 38 INDIA EDITION INSIGHT M<strong>in</strong>ister of Foreign Affairs Constant<strong>in</strong>os Kombos <strong>Cyprus</strong> and <strong>India</strong> have placed strong focus on further strengthen<strong>in</strong>g their bilateral relations. What are the key pillars that form this diplomatic relationship and how do you see this partnership develop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the future?
DOING BUSINESS C YPRUS 39 INDIA EDITION <strong>Cyprus</strong>-<strong>India</strong> relations have deep history and are based on solid political, economic, and cultural foundations. Our bilateral cooperation has always been and rema<strong>in</strong>s dynamic and ever evolv<strong>in</strong>g. On the political front, <strong>India</strong> ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s a pr<strong>in</strong>cipled stance on the <strong>Cyprus</strong> question. We are grateful to <strong>India</strong> for its staunch support to our efforts to reach a viable and comprehensive solution lead<strong>in</strong>g to the reunification of our country, <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. On the economic front, <strong>India</strong> is a priority country <strong>in</strong> <strong>Cyprus</strong>’ Strategy for Economic Diplomacy. In the last three years, <strong>Cyprus</strong> has been among the top 10 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) countries <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong>, <strong>in</strong>vest<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> sectors such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services, pharmaceuticals, shipp<strong>in</strong>g, manufactur<strong>in</strong>g and construction. Furthermore, we will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to strengthen the economic ties between <strong>Cyprus</strong> and <strong>India</strong> <strong>in</strong> areas such as renewable energy, trade, shipp<strong>in</strong>g, research and <strong>in</strong>novation, tourism and <strong>in</strong> the field of digital cooperation. In the field of connectivity, we have welcomed the recent announcement of the <strong>India</strong>-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and we believe that <strong>Cyprus</strong>, with its strategic geographical location, can contribute to the realisation of this significant project. <strong>Cyprus</strong> can also serve as a bridge, connect<strong>in</strong>g <strong>India</strong> to Europe, and thus br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g together people, cultures and civilisations. <strong>Cyprus</strong> attaches high importance to the EU-<strong>India</strong> strategic IWe have strengthened our diplomatic presence <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong> by establish<strong>in</strong>g a commercial office at the High Commission of <strong>Cyprus</strong> <strong>in</strong> New Delhi <strong>in</strong> 2022, and we are plann<strong>in</strong>g to open an Honorary Consulate <strong>in</strong> Mumbai <strong>in</strong> the next year. partnership, which we view as key <strong>in</strong> strengthen<strong>in</strong>g a rules-based <strong>in</strong>ternational order and as an important parameter for address<strong>in</strong>g global challenges. In this respect, we will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to be vocal <strong>in</strong> our support for a free trade agreement between the European Union and <strong>India</strong>. In recent years, we have strengthened our diplomatic presence <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong> by establish<strong>in</strong>g a commercial office at the High Commission of <strong>Cyprus</strong> <strong>in</strong> New Delhi <strong>in</strong> 2022, and we are plann<strong>in</strong>g to open an Honorary Consulate <strong>in</strong> Mumbai <strong>in</strong> the next year. In the past five months, I had the pleasure to meet twice with my <strong>India</strong>n counterpart, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and <strong>in</strong> those meet<strong>in</strong>gs we had the opportunity to discuss practical ways on how to maximise the mutual benefit <strong>in</strong> our relationship. Our meet<strong>in</strong>gs have been build<strong>in</strong>g on Dr Jaishankar’s recent visit to <strong>Cyprus</strong> <strong>in</strong> December 2022, when three important bilateral documents were signed: a Memorandum of Understand<strong>in</strong>g on Defence and Military Cooperation, a framework agreement on International Solar Alliance, and a Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility. Further exchange of high-level visits <strong>in</strong> 2024 will add to the exist<strong>in</strong>g momentum. <strong>India</strong> is a valuable global partner for <strong>Cyprus</strong>. Our relationship has deep roots, historical basis and great potential for the future. We will cont<strong>in</strong>ue to work steadfastly <strong>in</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g our two countries closer, for our mutual benefit. n
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