India and Cyprus pledge to further boost bilateral ties

India will continue its unwavering support to Cyprus, for its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity, India’s new High Commissioner to Cyprus Madhumita Hazarika Bhagat said as she presented her credentials to President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday.

Bhagat expressed hope that “the resumption of structured and results-oriented negotiations, aiming at a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem, would start soon, aiming at a solution that will be in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, which will benefit all Cypriots and respect democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

In his comments, Anastasiades referred to the bonds between the two countries and their shared vision of peace and democracy. He said Cyprus and India cooperated in many fields and expressed the will to further expand this cooperation.

Bhagat also referred to the “very cordial and warm relations and cooperation” between the two countries and expressed appreciation for Cyprus’ support towards India.

“India’s five police officers and one army officer are currently serving in Unficyp,” she said. “In the current conditions, Unficyp’s role is imperative in ensuring stability and calm and an environment conducive to the efforts to resume the political process. India plays an important role in the UN Peace Keeping all over the world.”

She also said that for the Indian community, “Cyprus has become a second home, due to the high standard of educational system and business-friendly environment.”

“The Indian community has increased to 7,700, and they are engaged in various sectors including shipping, banking, tourism, amongst others and are contributing positively to the economy of Cyprus. The Indian community also comprises at almost 3,400 students who are studying in Cyprus,” she added.

Regarding investments, Bhagat said the exchange of state visits “has taken our already excellent bilateral relations to a new height and resulted in conclusion of many important agreements between the two countries.”

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.