Cyprus-India defence cooperation is set to deepen, with India offering training, operational capability development and technical support to the Cypriot Navy during high-level talks in Nicosia and a visit to the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari.
According to announcements by the High Commission of India in Cyprus, Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held a series of meetings with Cypriot officials focusing on defence ties, maritime security and geopolitical developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and West Asia.
India offers support to Cypriot Navy
On October 12, 2026, Singh visited the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari, where he met the Commander of the Cyprus National Guard’s Navy, Commodore Nikolaos Loukas.
The discussions focused on strengthening naval and security cooperation between the two countries. India expressed its readiness to support the Cypriot Navy through personnel training, capability development and technical assistance.
The proposed cooperation aims to strengthen maritime security. However, the announcement did not specify whether the two sides had agreed on specific training programmes, implementation timelines or equipment deliveries.
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh met Cypriot Naval Commander Commodore Nicolaos Luca during his visit at Mari Naval Base, Cyprus On October 12, 2026. Discussions focused on strengthening India-Cyprus maritime and security cooperation, with India offering support to the Cypriot Navy in training, capacity building and technical assistance to enhance maritime security. @IndiainCyprus @MEAIndia @DefenceMinIndia @adgpi @suryacommand @UBArea_IA @PIBDehradun @IN_NHO_DEHRADUN
— PRO & Spokesperson, MoD, Dehradun Region (@PRODefDehradun) October 13, 2026
Strategic talks with Cyprus Foreign Ministry
During his visit, Singh, accompanied by India’s defence attaché Manish and members of the Indian defence delegation, also met the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Thessalia Salina Shiamou.
The meeting reviewed progress in the Cyprus-India strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on implementing defence and security agreements reached by President Nikos Christodoulides and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Cypriot president’s visit to India in May 2026.
Both sides discussed advancing cooperation under the Defence Cooperation Roadmap for 2026–2031, aiming to translate political commitments into practical initiatives.
Regional security and India-EU relations
The delegations exchanged views on security developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and West Asia, discussing regional challenges and the wider geopolitical environment.
They also explored opportunities to strengthen defence diplomacy and security cooperation amid growing defence ties between India and the European Union.
The discussions highlighted the connection between the defence priorities of Nicosia and New Delhi and the broader strategic partnership between India and the EU.
Singh’s visit to the naval base in Mari added a practical dimension to the discussions, complementing the diplomatic meetings.
According to the Indian diplomatic mission, the meetings reaffirmed the growing alignment between Cyprus and India on diplomatic, defence and security issues as part of their strategic partnership.
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