Press Releases

Your Excellency,

I extend a warm welcome to you as I accept the Letters of Credence appointing you as the new High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Cyprus. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations for your appointment along with my sincere wishes for every success in your important work. I take this opportunity to assure you that my Government will provide you with every assistance in the performance of your high duties.

Cyprus and India enjoy excellent relations based on close historical ties and the shared values of peace, sustainable development, protection of human rights and respect for rule of law, democracy, the firm commitment to multilateralism and adherence to international law. Over the years, Cyprus-India relations have seen steady development for which we, the Cypriot people, could not but feel well-pleased and proud of.

Not only have we increased mutual understanding and mutual benefits, but also we both greatly strengthened our cooperation in an array of areas, including economy and trade, tourism, connectivity, education and culture, combating climate change, and technology. In addition, Cyprus and India cooperate closely in multilateral fora, including in the United Nations and the Commonwealth. In this context, I wish to reiterate that Cyprus highly cherishes its solid friendship and mutual trust with India, and it stands ready to strengthen and intensify high-level exchanges and elevate the Cyprus-India relations to new heights.

Moreover, I am convinced that the strong relationship between Cyprus and India is also underpinned by the people-to-people contacts, given the fact that nearly 10.000 Indian citizens currently live and work in Cyprus, contributing to our country’s prosperity while serving as a bridge between Cyprus and India.

Your Excellency,

As the current geopolitical environment is, without a doubt, at a critical juncture, we urgently need to preserve the multilateral system and to strengthen the rules-based world order. In this context, Cyprus recognises India’s important role in global affairs as well as its prominent and stabilising role in Asia. Furthermore, Cyprus greatly appreciates India’s significant contribution in strengthening the UN system as well as India’s representation in the UN Security Council seat throughout the years.

India has a long history of service in UN Peacekeeping and it has contributed military and police personnel to many UN peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world, including the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), for which we are deeply grateful.

I avail myself of this opportunity to also express our appreciation for India’s consistent and unwavering support to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and for its unwavering support to our efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus Question, based on the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and international law. I wish to reiterate once again our commitment to a solution on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as prescribed in the respective UNSC Resolutions. A solution on the above basis is vitally important for Cyprus and all Cypriots, for all involved in the Cyprus problem as well as for all international actors with vital interests for the security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the EU.

In the present world order, the European Union and India are close partners as well as shaping factors for regional and global stability. India’s relations with the European Union over the years have been built on the principles of cooperation and common concern for global peace, security, and development. As a true and close friend of India, let me assure you that Cyprus, as an EU Member State, will steadfastly continue working towards the promotion and enhancement of EU-India relations. 

Your Excellency,

In concluding, I kindly request that you convey to Her Excellency the President, Droupadi Murmu, as well as to the people of India, our warmest greetings and a message of sincere friendship and solidarity.

High Commissioner Manish, I warmly welcome you to Cyprus and wish you a constructive and fruitful tenure. 

(ΑP/NZ)