Nicosia: India and Cyprus agree to deepen military-to-military engagement and explore cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, electronic warfare and multi-domain operations following a meeting between Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Cyprus National Guard Chief Lieutenant General Emmanuel Theodorou on October 13. The discussions focus on bilateral defence cooperation and regional security developments.
Follow Defence Watch on LinkedIN
The two sides identify training and capacity building in emerging military technologies as potential areas for collaboration. The engagement broadens the scope of India-Cyprus defence ties beyond conventional military exchanges, bringing advanced technologies and cross-domain operational capabilities into focus.
The meeting forms part of Singh’s official visit to Cyprus on October 12–13, during which maritime security and defence-industrial cooperation remain key priorities. Singh also meets Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas to discuss expanding defence industry ties, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
India’s engagement with Cyprus comes as modern armed forces increasingly integrate AI-enabled systems, cyber capabilities and electronic warfare into military planning and operations. Training exchanges and capacity building could provide a framework for sharing professional expertise, although no specific joint project or technology-transfer agreement is announced in the meeting.
The talks also carry a wider strategic dimension as India seeks to deepen defence partnerships with European Union countries. Cyprus offers an additional channel for engagement in the Eastern Mediterranean, where maritime security and regional stability remain important considerations.
The proposed expansion of military cooperation signals an intent to move India-Cyprus defence ties towards more practical engagement in emerging domains. Its impact will depend on whether the discussions translate into structured training programmes, regular military exchanges and concrete collaborative initiatives.
(Defence Watch– India’s Defence News centre that places the spotlight on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)