Cypriot President to pay five-day state visit to India

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades will pay a five-day state visit to India beginning tomorrow at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee during which some agreements and MoUs currently under negotiation will be signed.

This is the first visit of President Anastasiades to India.

Earlier in September 2015, he had substantive meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the visit, President Anastasiades is scheduled to arrive at Mumbai tomorrow where he will have a meeting with Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and address a business forum the next day.

He will travel to Delhi on April 26. He will address a business forum and deliver a talk at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) the next day.

He will be given a ceremonial guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan followed by wreath laying by him at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi Raj Ghat on April28.

His other engagements on that day include a meeting with President Mukherjee, who will host a banquet in his honour. This will be followed by delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi. Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari will call on President Anastasiades; there will also be a call on by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

President Anastasiades will leave Delhi on the early morning of April29.

India and Cyprus enjoy close, friendly and time-tested ties. On many global issues, both countries share similar views. Almost all Cypriot President's have come to India on State Visits.

In October 2009, then President Pratibha Devisingh Patil paid a state visit to Cyprus.

Cyprus and India enjoy robust economic ties. Cyprus is a major investor in India. With cumulative Foreign Direct Investment of above US$ 8.5 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.