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As global attention turns to new strategic alignments across the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific, India and Cyprus are building a defence relationship that holds promise for opening up new avenues of cooperation. During the recent official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Cyprus – marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over three decades – the two nations elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. At the heart of this deepening cooperation lies a growing convergence on defence, security, and emerging technology.
Cyprus, a frontline European Union (EU) member state located at the intersection of three continents, has increasingly found itself navigating a complex security environment. With longstanding tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, including persistent maritime disputes with Turkey and the continued occupation of its northern territory since 1974, Nicosia has sought to diversify its defence partnerships. India, with its global stature, indigenous defence manufacturing base, and longstanding support for Cypriot sovereignty, has emerged as a natural and reliable partner.
As one of the world’s top five military powers, India is also home to a burgeoning ecosystem of defence startups, aerospace innovators, and unmanned systems developers. “Under initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat, India has significantly ramped up its domestic defence production capabilities. Recent developments indicate that this synergy is being actively channelled into the India–Cyprus relationship,” explained a senior officer.
The most concrete signal of this shift is the announcement that an Indian drone company, Drone Destination has established a European subsidiary in Cyprus. According to the senior officer quoted above this move will position Cyprus as India’s first drone technology hub in Europe. The subsidiary will not only cater to civilian and disaster response applications but also focus on dual-use systems. This aligns with Cyprus’ objective to upgrade its defence readiness in a cost-effective and modular manner.
Furthermore, Cyprus has explicitly expressed interest in counter-terrorism cooperation, cybersecurity, and maritime domain awareness—areas where India has proven operational experience and scalable technology. The Joint Declaration signed on June 17, 2025, includes references to strengthening institutional frameworks in these domains, with a roadmap extending until 2029.
Cyprus also offers unique structural advantages for Indian companies: EU-compatible regulatory frameworks, a wide network of tax treaties, including one with India, and a stable business environment. Its geographic proximity to North Africa and the Middle East also complements India’s outreach via the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). Indian firms looking to tap into European tenders or participate in EU-funded defence innovation platforms can use Cyprus as a launchpad—similar to how Israeli firms leveraged Cyprus in the early 2000s.
Moreover, Cyprus has shown consistent diplomatic support to India at multilateral fora—on issues ranging from Kashmir to India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). This geopolitical alignment adds trust and weight to the bilateral defence discourse.
Looking forward, the strategic message from this growing partnership is clear: India’s defence engagement with Cyprus is not transactional but transformational. For Cyprus, India offers scale, autonomy, and resilience. For India, Cyprus provides legitimacy, access, and a forward operating node into the European strategic theatre.
As the world transitions from old blocs to flexible coalitions, the India–Cyprus defence relationship could well become a template for 21st-century strategic cooperation: principled, multipolar, and anchored in mutual interest.
