The Light in a Looming Crisis: The Longstanding Relationship Between India and Cyprus
- Hindu College Gazette Web Team
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
As the global conundrum takes over with the looming threat of war in the Middle East, India’s diplomatic overture towards Cyprus comes as a form of geopolitical positioning and strategic alignment against the newfound nemesis in Ankara, for its unabashed support for Pakistan during the May 7 Operation Sindoor, a retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, and the rapid developments that ensued.
The burgeoning Pakistan–Turkey romance is not a recent development and has seen the two nations often in cahoots to support each other’s diplomatic stature. Turkey has frequently declared its unequivocal support for Pakistan and its stance on Kashmir, garnering strong condemnation from India for attempting to dictate its internal matters.
Meanwhile, Cyprus and its resentment towards Turkey are not unfamiliar and provide New Delhi with strategic manoeuvring to spearhead India’s role in the Middle East. This article explores the strategic signalling the June 15-16 visit to Cyprus reflects and the global posturing it demonstrates.
The delinquents
Post Operation Sindoor, undertaken on May 7, 2025, Turkey emerged as the most steadfast and diplomatic partner to Pakistan, condemning the strikes by India. Meanwhile, following the Pahalgam terror attacks, Turkey was among the very few nations that did not call on India to convey their condemnation. Their brotherhood and shared Islamic ideology with Pakistan, persistently bringing up the Kashmir issue like a stuck gramophone, has seen Erdogan, under his leadership, lay the foundation for a long-lasting friendship that acts as a sore tooth to India.
The same was demonstrated after the May 7 escalations when Pakistan was bolstered by the might of Turkey and its drones -the SONGAR and the YIHA - depicting solidarity not just in words but also in arms.
Erdogan, through supporting Pakistan, fuels his own motive to revive the caliphate. He first tried to become a member of the European Union by depicting Turkey as a modern Islamic nation; however, that request is still pending. Thus, he pivoted towards support from Muslim clerics, backing brotherhood among Muslims, putting Turkey at the helm of the Muslim world. However, it soon turned around, as Islamic nations viewed Turkey as an enemy, and internal crises took over. As the dream of becoming a caliphate slowly fizzled, Pakistan emerged as the sole nation to fuel those ambitions. A Sunni Muslim nation with anti-India rhetoric, desperate for allies, Pakistan and Turkey’s relations strengthened, and Turkey, by raising the concerns of Pakistan, reflects itself as the voice of Muslims in the global order.
The Age-Old Foes
A natural trading hub since ancient times, the 140-mile-long island of Cyprus was the hub of trade and exports. Enriched with a copper core, this tiny island soon garnered limelight and bore the brunt of waves of invasions and struggles for supremacy. Conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1571, swathes of Turks migrated to the flourishing empire, culturally Greek in nature, which then ignited intercommunal tensions between the two communities and the conversion of the Greeks. As the cry for sovereignty echoed through the streets, the conception of independence became a bone of contention amongst the communities. The Greek community, led by Makarios III, promulgated the idea of ENOSIS, or union, which stressed that Cyprus was not an individual entity but rather on integrating with what they propagated as the indigenous identity, Greece. The Turks, meanwhile, called for integration with Turkey and propagated Taksim, the division of Cyprus between Greece and Turkey.
In 1960, with a 78 per cent majority, the Greek community perceived itself as the hereditary lawmakers and elite of Cyprus. Makarios called for the establishment of a militia group, EOKA, against the British army, while the Turkish community formulated its own armed group, the Turkish Resistance Organisation, backed by Turkey. In 1960, Cyprus emerged as a sovereign and independent nation with the anomalous condition of power-sharing between the two communities. With Makarios at the helm of affairs, Cyprus established the Greek leadership and majority control; nonetheless, power-sharing was deliberated upon with a joint formulation of a constitution. The sharing of power was set at a 70:30 ratio between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. The armed forces saw representation at a 60:40 ratio.
Despite these efforts, all the deliberation soon proved futile as the government collapsed in 1963, only three years post-independence. Thirteen constitutional amendments were adopted under the Greek Cypriots’ rule with the justification for smooth state functioning. These amendments virtually made Cyprus a Greek-dominated state, and violence and protests marred the island. The Turkish Cypriots called for unification with Turkey; yet, since the population was spread across the island, it was deemed impossible. As the clashes descended into chaos, the UN Peacekeeping Force was deployed in 1964.
On July 15, 1974, things further spiralled out of control as the Greek community called for unification with Greece, and on July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus claiming to protect the Turkish community. The northern half of Cyprus was effectively occupied, and Turkey took over the helm of affairs. In 1983, the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus was declared; even so, to this date, it is recognised solely by Turkey, fueling an age-old feud and resentment amongst the southern part of Cyprus over their lost land and identity.
An Unlikely Alliance
Post-independence from British colonialists, India emerged as one of the very first nations to acknowledge Cyprus’s sovereignty and independence. Pandit Nehru further steered diplomatic relations through the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement, stressing the need for self-determination and the protection of sovereignty for post-colonial nations, rather than being swayed by the two powerhouses at the time — the United States and the USSR. Cyprus was among the key role-players and appreciated India’s support in its fight against British colonisation. India and Cyprus are not newfound allies; rather, India has repeatedly voiced its support for the island country and endorsed a resolution for Cyprus based on the UN Security Council resolution. With a partnership thriving on reciprocity, Cyprus has asserted its unequivocal support for India’s candidature as a permanent member of the Security Council, and as a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the IAEA, both of which elevate India’s voice in matters of nuclear energy and economic development. India has contributed three Force Commanders to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) since its creation in 1964 — namely, Lieutenant General P.S. Gyani, Major General Diwan Prem Chand, and General K.S. Thimayya. The latter, who died in harness in Cyprus in 1965, was honoured with a commemorative stamp and by having an avenue in Larnaca (Republic of Cyprus) named after him in 1966. The Prime Minister’s recent visit to the island marked a return at the highest diplomatic level after 23 years, the last prime ministerial visit having occurred in 2002. His voyage signals a strategic diplomatic manoeuvre with global implications, aligned with India’s evolving foreign policy framework.
The India Factor
The visit marks a historic milestone with a strong diplomatic message to Turkey, especially in the backdrop of its brazen support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Cyprus has been a key trade partner to India, with a 94.2% import share from India registered in the year 2023-24, amounting to $136.96 million in trade. Key Indian exports to Cyprus include pharmaceuticals, textiles, iron and steel, ceramic products, machinery, and chemicals.
In December 2021, Invest India and Invest Cyprus signed an MoU with the intent of enhancing mutual investment activities and promoting broader business cooperation between Indian and Cypriot companies. An MoU was signed on 20 April 2023 between the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce & Industry, aimed at boosting business and trade relations between India and the Republic of Cyprus.
Another MoU was signed in May 2024 between the Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce and the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations further. The India-Greece-Cyprus (IGC) Business and Investment Council was officially launched in Mumbai on 13 February 2025. The Republic of Cyprus is also among the top 10 investors in India, with cumulative FDI inflows amounting to USD 14.65 billion during April 2000 – March 2025.
The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), as signed during the G20 Summit held in New Delhi in 2024, under India’s Act West policy, holds crucial geopolitical and economic significance. The proposed corridor will comprise railroad and ship-to-rail networks, connecting India to the Arabian Gulf and from there to Europe.
With the EU Presidency being handed over to Cyprus in 2026, India has begun to recognise the strategic role Cyprus plays in connecting Asia with Europe. This presents a plethora of opportunities for Indian companies looking to invest in Europe, while also placing Cyprus in a pivotal position within India’s diplomatic priorities, including the India-US Nuclear Deal, India’s bid for Permanent Membership in the UN Security Council, and participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Cyprus’s rising inclination towards India’s indigenous defence systems, along with its neighbours Greece and Armenia (with Greece expressing interest in acquiring the BrahMos missile), points to a likely surge in India’s defence exports. Forecasts suggest an estimated growth of 15-17% in defence exports by 2026.
All these factors point towards India and Cyprus’s blooming romance, and India viewing Cyprus as a trustworthy ally in times of crisis. In Cyprus, India finds a reliable partner to bank upon in Europe and gives a stern response back to enemies from all aspects. Kautilya's key theory, the rajmandala theory, is a reflection of the diplomatic policy India is adopting today that perceives an enemy's enemy as a friend. Through Cyprus, India gains a key ally against its enemy nation, Pakistan and our newfound foe in Turkey. In the current world scenario, when India shares boundaries with enemy nations, the relevance of mandala theory comes to light and is a great reflection of its relevance in the modern era.
The Dawning Passage
The India-Cyprus meeting, though overshadowed by the grand G7 summit in Canada and the diplomatic debacle surrounding India’s strained ties with Ottawa, signals a strategic recalibration in India’s foreign policy. In line with Kautilya’s Chanakya Niti-“the enemy’s enemy is a friend”-India’s outreach to Cyprus exemplifies realist diplomacy at its finest. In an era where the threat of war looms large and geopolitical tensions simmer globally, the ability to play one's diplomatic cards with precision becomes paramount. These are tumultuous times, and nations must strike a delicate balance between asserting their stance and forging meaningful alliances. Navigating such complexities will be the ultimate test of leadership on the global stage.
By Ananya Sharma
Ananya Sharma is a second-year student currently pursuing Political Science from Indraprastha College For Women. With a knack for international relations and diplomacy, she wishes to pursue a career in the same. If not in classes or in the lush green gardens of her campus, you will often find her in the dramsoc room, all snuggled up with her instruments, comfortably naming it her ‘second home’.
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