India and Cyprus sign agreement on defence and military cooperation

India and Cyprus have signed a number of agreements in various areas including on Defence and Military Cooperation between the two countries.

A Letter of Intent on Migration and Mobility Partnership was also signed to provide a common framework of arrangement and cooperation to facilitate the mobility of students, academics, business people and professionals. It will also help in combating irregular migration.

The agreements were signed following talks between External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of Cyprus. Dr Jaishankar is on an official visit to Cyprus and Austria from yesterday till 3rd of next month.

In the Joint Press Statement following the talks and exchange of agreements, Dr Jaishankar said the meeting demonstrates the commitment towards deepening bilateral cooperation between India and Cyprus. He said the India-Cyprus partnership is rooted in shared values of democracy, diversity and pluralism. He added that the strategic aspects of the relationship have gained new meaning in recent years.

The External Affairs Minister reiterated India's position on the Cyprus issue and expressed commitment for bi-communal bi-zonal Federation based on UN Resolutions as a solution to the issue. He said they had productive discussions on bilateral relations, geopolitical and regional challenges.

He also welcomed the Signing of the Framework Agreement on International Solar Alliance by Cyprus and expressed belief that India-Cyprus cooperation in the field of renewable energy will gain as



a result.

Dr. Jaishankar also met President of House of Representatives of Cyprus Annita Demetriou and held an exchange on several important regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict.

Dr. Jaishankar tweeted that it was great to meet the President of House of Representatives and an interesting conversation on our parliamentary practices. Appreciate the presentation of commemorative stamps marking Amrit Mahotsav and 60 years of our diplomatic ties, he tweeted.

Useful exchange on our bilateral relationship and in the context of the EU and also discussed regional issues and Ukraine conflict, he added.

The External Affairs Minister is in Cyprus for a three-day visit to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He will address Cyprus' business and investment community, apart from interacting with the Indian diaspora.

In the second leg of his visit to Austria, Dr. Jaishankar will meet the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, this will be the first External Affairs Minister-level visit from India to Austria in the last 27 years.

The Minister will call on the Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora based in Austria. Dr. Jaishankar will also meet with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi.