Nicos Anastasiades, the President of Republic of Cyprus will be in India on a state visit from today. This is the first visit of the President of Cyprus to India. Earlier, he had substantive meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2015.
India can help Cyprus in its quest for reunification as it has close ties with Turkey, President Nicos Anastasiades has said ahead of his maiden visit to the country during which he will reaffirm the island nation’s close and time-tested ties with New Delhi.
“Of course, we shall ask Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi if any kind of possibility to intervene on the Cyprus question,” he said. His remarks assume significance as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit India on April 30. At the same time Anastasiades insisted that Cyprus won’t do things that may put friends at unease. “If they are not able to intervene, we will not ask them. We are not going to ask something that may harm India’s interest,” he said.
He will be accompanied by the ministers of finance, energy, transport and agriculture. The main aim of the visit is to reaffirm Cyprus’ ties with India which has supported the country’s unification efforts.
President Anastasiades will have a meeting with Governor of Maharashtra today after arriving in Mumbai and will address a business forum tomorrow. He is set to travel to Delhi, address a business forum and deliver a talk at Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in the capital. On Friday morning, he will be given a ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan followed by wreath laying by him at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi, Raj Ghat. His other engagements on that day include a meeting with the president of India Pranab Mukherjee, who will host a banquet in the honour of President Anastasiades, and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi. Additionally, External Affairs Minister Susma Swaraj will call on President Anastasiades.
Cyprus is a major investor in India. With cumulative Foreign Direct Investment of above USD9 billion, Cyprus is the eighth largest foreign investor in India and has invested in areas such as financial leasing, stock exchange, auto manufacture, manufacturing industries, real estate, cargo handling, construction, shipping and logistics. There is also scope for cooperation in sectors like pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, tourism and film production. India and Cyprus enjoy close, friendly and time-tested ties. On many global issues, both countries share similar views. Almost all Cypriot Presidents have come to India on state visits.
