New Delhi [India], October 1 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday extended greetings of Independence Day to Cyprus and underlined how the longstanding friendship between the two countries continues to advance into a robust partnership.

In a post on X he said, 'Independence day greetings to FM @ckombos, the Government and the people of the Republic of Cyprus. Our long-standing friendship, rooted in shared values, continues to advance into a robust partnership.'

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1973242480931082339

Earlier this year in June, PM Modi had a historic visit to Cyprus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Cyprus concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining a roadmap for deepened strategic cooperation between the two nations, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

The Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Cyprus also released coordinated statements underscoring the breadth of this renewed partnership.

The press release also highlighted the shared commitment of both sides to strengthening EU-India relations.

With Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both sides pledged to work towards the timely conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025, calling it a move of 'significant economic and strategic potential'.

According to the release, Prime Minister Modi's visit -- the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades -- was described as a 'historic milestone' that 'reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations.'

The visit was seen as a celebration of a shared past and a 'forward-looking partnership' rooted in strategic vision and mutual trust.

The declaration noted that both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, acknowledging growing cooperation in economic, technological, and people-to-people domains.

Cyprus and India committed to furthering collaboration 'as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability.'

The joint declaration reaffirmed both sides' shared values--democracy, multilateralism, rule of law, and sustainable development--and their support for a rules-based international order grounded in the UN Charter and international law. (ANI)