NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday held delegation-level talks focused on deepening bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.External affairs minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and foreign secretary Vikram Misri were among those present during the discussions.According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders were expected to hold extensive discussions on trade, investment, technology, education, culture, mobility, defence, and security. Emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, fintech, innovation, and research were also on the agenda. The leaders were additionally expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, including cooperation in multilateral forums.Christodoulides arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after completing the Mumbai leg of his visit. The trip comes less than a year after PM Modi’s visit to Cyprus in June 2025 — the first by an Indian prime minister to the Mediterranean nation in more than two decades.Earlier, the MEA said the Cypriot president’s visit builds on the momentum generated by the prime minister’s landmark trip and reflects the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen their bilateral partnership.Ahead of the talks, Jaishankar called on Christodoulides in the national capital. In a post on X, the external affairs minister said he appreciated the visiting leader’s “positive sentiments and guidance for strengthening our bilateral ties and India-EU cooperation.”The New Delhi leg follows the first phase of Christodoulides’ four-day state visit, which began with his arrival in Mumbai on Wednesday. Visiting India from May 20 to 23 at PM Modi’s invitation, the trip marks his first visit to the country in his current capacity, according to an official MEA statement.The Cyprus president is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes foreign minister Constantinos Kombos, transport minister Alexis Vafeades, senior officials, and business leaders.Adding to the strategic importance of the engagement, Cyprus currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.(With ANI inputs)
