India’s Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, has completed an official two-day visit to Cyprus (12–13 October 2026) focused on expanding cooperation in maritime security and the defence industry. The visit forms the first leg of a wider tour that continues to Greece until 15 October.
According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the trip builds on the fresh momentum created by the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership following the state visit of President Nikos Christodoulides to India in May 2026. The engagements aim to translate political commitments into practical outcomes under the Roadmap for Bilateral Defence Cooperation 2026–2031 and the broader India–EU Security and Defence Partnership.
High-Level Meetings in Nicosia
On 13 October, Singh met Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. The two sides reviewed progress under the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme for 2026 and set priorities for 2027, including joint exercises, naval visits and military training. They discussed the possible establishment of a regular security dialogue between the defence ministries to address shared concerns and guide future cooperation.
Discussions also covered defence-industry partnerships, cybersecurity, emerging technologies and maritime security. Singh extended an invitation to Palmas to visit India in early 2027.
Singh separately met Permanent Secretary Stelios Kountouris and officials of the Armament Directorate. India offered capacity-building support, expert exchanges and technical assistance in maritime security, drawing on its coastal-security experience. He also held talks with the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Emmanouel Theodorou, on bilateral defence cooperation and regional security developments.
Naval Engagement at Mari
At the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari, Singh met the Commander of the Cyprus Naval Command, Commodore Nicolaos Luca. Talks centred on strengthening navy-to-navy links through leadership exchanges, maritime domain awareness, search-and-rescue coordination, joint training, professional exchanges and potential port calls by Indian naval vessels.
India offered training, capacity building and technical assistance to the Cypriot Navy. The Indian delegation boarded the offshore patrol vessel Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61). These discussions form part of the practical implementation of the 2026–2031 defence roadmap.
Defence Industry and Innovation
Singh engaged with the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by President Stavros Stavrou, and representatives of the Cyprus Association of Research and Innovation Enterprises (CARIE), as well as the Cyprus Defence and Space Industry Cluster.
Talks focused on translating the May 2026 Strategic Partnership into concrete industrial and R&D cooperation in drones, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space and dual-use technologies. Both sides explored business-to-business partnerships and collaboration between defence start-ups. Singh invited Cypriot industry representatives to India and encouraged participation in Aero India 2027 in Bengaluru to facilitate matchmaking and commercial partnerships.
Additional Engagements
Singh met UNFICYP leadership, including Special Representative Khassim Diagne and Force Commander Major General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam, to discuss the mission’s mandate and India’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping.
He paid tribute by laying a wreath at the Makedonitissa Military Cemetery in Nicosia, honouring Greek and Cypriot servicemen who died in 1974, and at the Commonwealth War Memorial in the Buffer Zone, which commemorates Indian soldiers who fell in the Second World War.
Broader Context
The visit underscores Cyprus’s growing importance as an EU partner for India in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in maritime security. It follows other recent steps, including progress on the India–Cyprus Action Plan 2025–2029 and earlier maritime committee meetings.
Singh is now proceeding to Greece for meetings with senior political and military leaders. The Greek Minister of National Defence visited India in February 2026 and held talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The Cyprus and Greece stops form part of India’s wider effort to deepen defence and strategic relations with EU member states.
The engagements highlight the expanding scope of the India-Cyprus partnership across defence, naval cooperation, industry and innovation.
READ MORE: Turkish Media Highlight Christodoulides’ First Turkey Visit in a Decade for COP31.
Paul Antonopoulos
Paul Antonopoulos writes on Greek and international current affairs for Greek City Times, with a focus on Turkey, Cyprus, and the wider region.