By News On Air May 22, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides have called for strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and for the early finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.
In a joint statement issued after talks between the two leaders in New Delhi yesterday, both sides urged strong and coordinated action against all UN and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist organisations, including those listed under the 1267 UN Security Council Sanctions Committee.
The two leaders stressed the need for greater cooperation to counter violent extremism, radicalisation, terrorism financing and money laundering. They also called for preventing the misuse of new and emerging technologies for terrorist activities and tackling terrorist recruitment.
India and Cyprus also called for the elimination of terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, dismantling terrorist networks, and strengthening efforts to curb terror financing through the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force.
Reiterating their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, the leaders rejected double standards, state-sponsored terrorism and any justification for terrorist acts under any circumstances. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism to enhance bilateral cooperation through information sharing, knowledge exchange and capacity building.
The two sides also agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, including collaboration between their defence industries, with a special focus on cybersecurity and emerging technologies. In this context, they welcomed the signing of an MoU between the Cyprus Defence and Space Industries Cluster and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.
Welcoming the India-Cyprus Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme signed in February this year, the leaders highlighted the strong potential for cooperation in the defence sector. They also welcomed the conclusion of the Roadmap for Bilateral Defence Cooperation between the Defence Ministries of the two countries for the period 2026 to 2031.
As maritime nations with deep-rooted naval traditions, India and Cyprus also agreed to expand cooperation in the maritime domain.