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Cyprus–India relations

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Cyprus-India relations
Map indicating locations of Cyprus and India

Cyprus
India

Cyprus–India relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Cyprus and India. India maintains a High Commission in Nicosia. Cyprus maintains a High Commission in New Delhi, which is jointly accredited to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.[1]

History

India supported Cyprus during its struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Diplomatic relations between Cyprus and India were established on 10 February 1962, two years after the former gained independence.[2]

The Indian military has participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Cyprus on numerous occasions. Three Indian Generals have served as Commanders of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), since its creation in 1964.[2] A road in Larnaca is named after Maj. General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya who died in 1965, while serving as the UNFICYP Force Commander. In 1966, the Government of Cyprus issued a stamp commemorating Thimayya.[3]

India supported Cyprus during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, and lobbied for the international recognition of the Government of Nicosia as the sole legal representative of the entire nation. India has consistently supported and voted for a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus dispute at the United Nations.[3] Cyprus supports the India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement, and also supports India within the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).[2]

Indian President V.V. Giri visited Cyprus in July 1972. During the visit, the Cyprus government unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi that it installed in the Nicosia Municipal Park near the Parliament House. This is the only bust of a foreign leader in the park.[4] President R. Venkataraman made a state visit to Cyprus in September 1988. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Cyprus in September 1983. During this visit, the avenue on which the Cyprus House of Representatives is situated was named after Jawaharlal Nehru.[3][4]

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Cyprus in October 2002. During the visit, Cyprus declared its support for India's candidature as a permanent member on the UN Security Council.[3][2] President Pratibha Patil visited the country in October 2009.[4] President Tassos Papadopoulos visited India in April 2006.[2]

Former First of Lady of Cyprus, Lila Erulkar, wife of President Glafcos Clerides, was born in Ahmedabad and was of Indian Jewish descent.[3] Her father, Dr Abraham Erulkar, was Mahatma Gandhi's personal physician in London in September 1946.[1] The street in Nicosia on which the High Commission of India is located is named after Indira Gandhi. In India, an avenue in New Delhi is named after Archbishop Makarios III.[3][4]

Economic relations

Bilateral trade between Cyprus and India totaled EUR 76.5 million in 2015. Cyprus imported 64.5 million and exported 11.1 million worth goods to India.[5] The major commodities exported from India to Cyprus were organic chemicals, oil seed, oleagi fruits, fish & other aquatic invertebrate, vehicles & accessories and iron & steel. India's main imports from Cyprus were aluminium and its products, wood pulp, iron & steel, machinery, boilers, engines, and plastic.[3]

Between April 2000 and September 2015, Cyprus invested a cumulative total of $ 8.328 billion making it the eighth largest FDI investor in India. Most of the investments are in the construction and real estate industries.[4]

DTAA

The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between Cyprus and India was revised in 2016.[6][7]

Indians in Cyprus

As of July 2015, around 2700 Indian citizens reside in Cyprus. More than of half of them are employed as cosmetics industry, while the other common professions are computer engineers, software programmers and the shipping industry. Approximately 900 Indian students were enrolled at private colleges in Cyprus in 2010-11, but this number reduced to less than 100 by 2015, as Indian students were unable to find part-time jobs oweing to the financial crisis in Cyprus.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Political Section". www.mfa.gov.cy. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e "CYPRUS - INDIA RELATIONS". www.mfa.gov.cy. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "India – Cyprus Relations" (PDF). mea.gov.in. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e "INDIA-CYPRUS BILATERAL RELATIONS". hci.gov.in. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  5. ^ "CYPRUS - INDIA TRADE RELATIONS" (PDF). Cyprus MINISTRY OF ENERGY, COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND TOURISM. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Cyprus says 'very close' to revising tax treaty with India", The Economic Times, 5 June 2016
  7. ^ "Cyprus team to negotiate revisions in tax treaty with India", Live Mint, 9 June 2016
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